A message from President of Sikh San Jose Parbandhak Committee December 12, 2012

Guru Piari Sadh Sangat Ji, Ji Ka , Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

As the year 2012 comes to a close, we are thankful to Waheguru for all the blessings for our families and another year of success and progress for the Sikh Gurdwara San Jose.

Many new programs were added to the Gurdwara Sahib this year. For the first time was celebrated and the Sangat enjoyed the Keertan diwan, Nagar Keertan and the sports events. At Vesakhi, Sri Dashmesh Band from Malaysia delighted the Sangat with heartwarming performances. First Parkash Utsav of Sri was celebrated in a big way. A conference on Sri Guru Granth Sahib was organized in collaboration with Chardikalaa foundation. Leading scholars of from US and India presented papers in this conference. The World Sikh Council-America Region also chose the Sikh Gurdwara San Jose as the venue for its National Sikh Convention, that was held in November 2012.

Khalsa School has been renamed as Khalsa School as a tribute to our first Guru Sahib, the greatest teacher ever born. The curriculum developed by our teachers has been approved by the World Sikh Council for all the Gurdwara Schools in the US. In a recently held Competition in the Bay area, our children won awards in all the five age groups. The Sikh Scouts program that was started a few years ago has made great progress. Two boys achieved the rank of Eagle scouts this year.

The Oakwood, Wisconsin tragedy shocked the whole world. The spirit of Chardikalaa demonstrated by the Sikh Community on this occasion was exemplary. A special interfaith prayer and candlelight vigil was held at the Gurdwara Sahib. Our prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives.

Thanks to the support from Sangat, the debt of $300,000 that we had at the end of last year is now down to $120,000. We request you to donate generously so that we can not only pay this debt but also can continue investing in the future. Please consider donating $250 in addition to your regular contributions.

Sikh Gurdwara San Jose has organized a series of programs to observe the important Gurpurabs and to welcome the New Year in the months of December/January. Celebration of festival of Lohri to mark the gender equality is being added to the Gurdwara programs. Outline of programs is enclosed. Please attend these programs and get blessings of the Guru.

I close by wishing all our families a very Happy New Year. May peace prevail on this earth. May the New Year bring prosperity, good health and happiness to all. May Waheguru bless us all with his Naam.

Nanak Naam Chardikalaa, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhalaa Yours Sincerely

(Hardev Singh Takhar)

Special Programs in the Months of December 2012 and January 2013

December 2012: 12/15: Sangrand Poh 12/16: Keertan by Sant Bhai Anoop Singh Ji 12/16: Guru Nanak Khalsa School Children celebrate the Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Main Hall 1:00-2:30 PM) 12/16-12/23: An exhibition of Pictures on Shaheedi of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Ji will be organized in collaboration with Sadh Sangat. 12/16-12/24: Gurmat camp registration at office of Khalsa School for children of ages 6 - 16 yrs 12/21-12/23: Akhand Path Sahib, Shaheedi Sahibzadas by sadh sangat of Fatehgarh Sahib 12/22: Evening program. Play “Chotian Jinda, Vadaa Sakaa” play at 6.30pm at North hall organized by Punjabi Sahit Sabha, sadh sangat of Fatehgarh Sahib and sadh sangat of Gurdwara Sahib 12/23: Keertan Diwan (10AM-4:00 PM) and Nagar Keertan (1:00-2:30 PM) 12/24-12/28: Children Gurmat Camp. 12/25: Keertan Darbar, Sahibzada Shaheed baba and baba 12/25: A movie titled "Sahibzadee" on behalf of Shaheedi of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh will be played at 12 - 3pm 12/31: Keertan until midnight and Ardas asking Guru Sahib for blessing in year 2013. Gakhal brothers will do sewa of Guru Ke and taza Jalabees Chole Bhature langar sewa will be from sadh sangat of Hollister January 2013: 01/01: Keertan all day for celebrating New Year. Guru Ke Langar sewa will be from all sewadars of langar and Chole Bhature Langar sewa will be from family of Bhupindar (Bob) Singh Dhillon 01/10-01/20: Five Akhand Path Sahibs to celebrate the Parkash Utsav of Sri Ji 01/12: Evening Lohri Keertan Diwan to celebrate and bless the girls and boys born during the past year, will serve peanuts and reorhian 01/13: Sangrand Magh, Special Program in memory of Challi Muktay, rice of rass (sugarcan juice) will be served 01/18: Parkash Utsav Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji 01/19: Evening Keertan Darbar, Parkash Utsav Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji 01/20: Keertan Darbar, Parkash Utsav Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji 01/26: Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Janam Divas. 01/31: Gurpurab Sri Guru Hari Rai Sahib Ji, Sikh Environment day

More detailed information on daily, weekly and special programs can be viewed at www.thesikhgurdwarasj.org or face book page “San Jose Gurdwara”.

Ragi Jathaa of Bhai Amrik Singh Ji of Gurdaspur will be doing Keertan at the Gurdwara Sahib for the month of December 2012. Hazuri ragi Darbar Sahib Bhai Tajvinder Singh’s Jathaa will visit us from January 18-20, 2013. Hazuri ragi Darbar Sahib Bhai Harpreet Singh's will visit us from January 28 to February 3. The Dhadi Jathaas of Nabhe Valian Bibian and Bilge Vaale will also visit the Gurdwara Sahib during these months. Besides these katha vachik Gurpreet Singh, our Hazoori Ragi Jathaas of Bhai Balwinder Singh, Bhai Jagtar Singh, Bhai Jatinder Singh and Bhai Rachpal Singh will continue to delight the Sangat with melodious Keertan.

Happy New Year to All