________________
Jai Jinendra YJA 2018,
Welcome to Chicago! The Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) is excited that YJA 2018's theme is "Reconnecting with our Roots," and we are proud that you are coming back to Chicago to celebrate this monumental YJA with us.
This year is also a landmark year for JSMC we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. In the past year, we have had the opportunity to work closely with the YJA Board during both our own anniversary celebrations and on the preparations for YJA 2018. We have been very impressed with this organization's professionalism, organizational skills, and commitment to Jainism.
JSMC is very supportive of YJA and our young Jains' participation in JSMC through our Pathshala activities. JSMC takes great honor in our Pathshala students, teachers and volunteers. We appreciate the support from the parents who bring their children to our Pathshala and we appreciate our teachers who guide them and instill our religion, philosophy and practice in their lives. Over the past 25 years, youth registration has grown from 30 students to almost 500 students in our Pathshala, Hindi, and sutra classes. We have also made tremendous progress in our academic and religious activities, such as our annual cultural program and declamation competition for Mahavir Janma Kalyanak celebrations, Nav Pad poojan and Samvatsari Pratikraman for college students and young professionals during Paryushan/Das Lakshana Parva, and stuti competition and Ashta Prakari pooja during Diwali. Our Jain Academic Bowl teams have placed as 1" place, 2d place, or semifinalists in every year that we have competed. On a national level, many JSMC members have received the JAINA Youth Recognition Award and JAINA Adult Recognition Award.
As you can probably assess, I am proud of the achievements of JSMC. However, make not mistake, JSMC is equally proud of you. Like many of us that grew up in India, I was expected to attend Pathshala and go to Derasar, however, you all attend your local Derasar, Pathshala, and YJA events without the same type of cultural expectation. I see you demonstrate Ahimsa, Anekantvada, and Aparigraha in every aspect of your daily life and I become inspired to do the same. JSMC would not be the Sangh it is without the active support of its youth, and we are incredibly optimistic for the future of Jainism in the U.S. after seeing the YJA community in action. JSMC wishes all attendees an amazing experience at YJA 2018.
Best Regards,
Vipul T. Shah
President, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago
14 2018 YJA CONVENTION | CHICAGO, IL
SOCIETY
नमो अरिहंताणं
CHICAG
JAIN
