Jain Center of America New York
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JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA INC., NEW YORK 43-11 Ithaca Street, Elmhurst, New York 11373 Website: www.nyjca.org Email: [email protected] Tel: (718)478-9141 ~ Fax: (718)478-9144 BOARD OF TRUSTEE Chairman Mr. Mehul Shah 917 864 0904 Vice Chairman Mr. Sanjay K. Pandya 917 660 7617 Secretary Mr. Apurva Shah 646 420 9642 CELEBRATES Chief Financial Officer Mr. Sandeep Shah 914 318 2141 VirSamvat 2547 VikramSamvat 2077 Year 2021 Public Relations officer Mr. Abhay Kothari 516 314 6937 PARYUSHAN MAHAPARVA (September 3 – September 10, 2021) Trustees Mrs. Shilpa Pandya DAS LAKSHAN MAHAPARVA (September 10 – September 19, 2021) 917 667 7676 Mr. Pranav Shah SWAPNA DARSHAN (September 5, 2021, Sunday) 917 514 3007 Mr. Sunil Doshi 917 863 6661 Mr. Vipul Shah 917 593 6116 Mr. Shailesh Sanghvi 646 641 2074 Mr. Rajesh K Shah 646 361 3637 M EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President/Trustee Mr. Ritesh Shah 646 269 0958 Vice President Mr. Sanjeev Samdaria 917 881 9736 Administrator Mr. Ashish Ajmera 516 633 7354 Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Shah 917 406 7593 Event & Youth Co-ordinator Ms. Sahelee Kasliwal 714 609 3361 Kitchen Co-Ordinator Mr. Chirag Shah 347 804 8338 Co-Administrator Mrs. Ujwala Shah 516 815 0198 EDITOR: Mr. Ashish Ajmera Members Mr. Manoj Mehta 347 607 5875 Mr. Dipesh Doshi 917667 6802 Mr. Manoj Shrimal 917 455 4100 Mr. Gautam Shah 212 203 1950 Mr. Dilip Shah 347-653-9746 Mr. Nalin Jhaveri 914 216 3421 *** We regret and apologize for any typographical errors or mistakes *** About Scholars About Scholars Smt. Mehuliben Kamdar Mrs. Mehuli Kamdar was born in 1977 in Mumbai. She did a Montessori Training Course from J.D. Birla Institute of Home Science, Kolkata. In 2006, she did a public speaking course and gave her first lecture in Kamani Jain Bhavan on Jainism which was appreciated a lot by eminent speakers. Her journey had just started. She has also accompanied Jain Sadhvijis in giving spiritual lectures in Paryushan. Mrs. Kamdar's interest in Jainism grew so much that she started teaching and giving lectures on Jainism outside the city Kolkata. She decided to do Masters in Jainology but as she was not a graduate, she was unable to do it. But she was unstoppable. She took this as a challenge and she completed her graduation first after a gap of 14 years and then pursued Masters in Jainology from Ladnun University, Rajasthan. She went to Mumbai, Raipur, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Agra, Delhi and Pune to spread the knowledge of Jainism. She has also written a book named "Shrota Adhikar" in Hindi which was launched by Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshrinath Tripathi in Raj Bhavan amongst few dignitaries of Kolkata. She is the first Gujarati lady to write a book on Jainism in Hindi in Eastern India. After the success of her book, she was also invited as a guest lecturer by USA's largest Jain Organisation named JAINA where she had two sessions, one for Children and one for youth. At present, Mrs. Kamdar is a guest lecturer to various Jain Sanghs and is also a teacher at Ahimsa Bhavan. She is also the teacher of faculty members of Kamani Jain Bhavan run Jain Pathshala. She has been awarded by ANANYA Award by premier club of Kolkata- Hindustan Club in 2018. She has been honored by the title of ‘JAIN DARSHINI’ by Kamani Jain Bhavan, the local Sangh of Kolkata, a title first time ever given to a Shravika in West Bengal. She was honored by Creative Group for her contribution in field of imparting knowledge of Jainism amongst youths and elders. She has been awarded with ‘DEVI’ award by Sahitya times where 10 ladies of Eastern India were recognized for their achievements in various fields. She presented her book to Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar and he appreciated the title and contents of the book in view of present uses of social media. She has received letters of appreciation from various dignitaries like Vice President of India, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat, Chairperson -National Commission for Women, Delhi and few more. She has vast knowledge of Aagams, Thokdas and has written several papers on various topics of Jainism About Scholars Pandit Mahesh Kumarji Jain Pandit Mahesh Kumarji Jain studied Jainism by various Muni Maharaj Ji such as Sudha Sagar Ji, Praman Saagar Ji, Dradhmati Mataji. He also taught various Jain scriptures at Sanganer Jain Gurukul in Jaipur, as Chief Teacher from 1997 until 2013. Maheshji has written and presented various articles in Jain Goshthis and wrote Tatvarth Sutra mein ch Shabda Ka vishleshan, that was published by Sanganer Gurukul. He has also delivered numerous discourses in many parts of North America and India. He has been visiting several Jain Centers in USA for conducting Pratishtha, Paryushan and spiritual guidance. He also does daily teachings on GommatSar KarmaKand to attendees from all over the USA over the phone Maheshji has also conducted Dharmik Shibir in Taranga, Mumbai and Kunthalgiri and takes daily classes in Satna, MP (India) at local temples. Mr. Mukesh bhai Ajmera – Shrimad Rajchandra Mr. Mukesh bhai Ajmera is an active and well-known JCA member from its inception. He is a well known Dentist by profession. He is spiritually guided by his Guru Shri Pujya Bhai Shri Nalinbhai Kothari of Raj Soubhg Asram, Sayla. He is also fortunate to be in close contact and blessed by spiritual guidance from various Saints and Scholars including Pujya Triputi Bandhu Jinchandraji Maharaj Saheb, Mahasatiji Madhu Smitaji and jay Smitaji, Acharya Rupchandji Muni, Pujya Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai Zaveri and others. Shrimad Rajchandra satsang group was initiated by Pujya Shantibhai Kothati in 1980's and is continued by various followers of Krupalu dev Shrimad rajchandra. During Paryushana, Dr. Ajmera will do Live Swadhaya on “Vachanamrut of Shrimad Rajchandrji” every morning from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at Shrimad Rajchandra hall located on the 3rd Floor. He will also attempt to do in the evening, however the details will be announced later. We request all the members to take Labh of this Vachanamrut Vani. JCA will also do a virtual broadcast, so stayed tuned for more details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN Jai Jinendra, Dear Sadharmik Brother and Sisters, It is a great pleasure to report that our center is doing well, even in these difficult times. I hope that everyone is staying safe, healthy, and taking as many precautions as possible. I would like to thank the Sangh, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Religious Coordinators, Kitchen Committee, the Office Team, and Volunteers for their unwavering support and dedication to the center. With all your support we continue to celebrate all the ceremonies and rituals at JCA. This year, JCA will be celebrating Paryushan Maha Parva and Daslakshan Maha Parva from September 3rd to September 19th, 2021. We will be hosting all the scholars virtually via Zoom and we are deeply grateful for their time and effort to make this happen under such circumstances. Let’s celebrate these auspicious days with full “Tan, Man & Dhan” towards our spiritual journey. Please stay safe and observe CDC Guidelines to protect yourself and others. Michhami Dukkadam. Mehul D. Shah Chairman Jain Center Of America, New York MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT Dear Sadharmik Brothers and Sisters, Jai Jinendra & Pranam I hope you all are safe and healthy. As I step in the second year of my presidency I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to you, the soul and core of JCA - the members- for supporting me throughout the challenging year of the pandemic. Moving forward with continued engagement, support and enthusiastic involvement of our EC, BOT, RC, kitchen committee members, volunteers and the entire sangh, we will still be holding all the rituals and celebrations following covid restrictions like last year. Thankfully due to the relative ease in covid regulations over the past year, our anniversary celebration went much smoother. Moving forward, as you all are aware that Paryushan Maha Parva commences on September 3rd, 2021 and concludes on September 10th, 2021 followed by Das Lakshana which will last from September 10th, 2021 to September 19th, 2021. However, as you all know due to travel restrictions we once again won't be able to host any of our scholar's lectures in person. Nevertheless, we assure you that, as a team, we will try our best to make this spiritual occasion filled with the same bhav and excitement as always. These circumstances are far from normal, but with your support Paryushan and Das Lakshana 2021 will be just as lively as last year. We will be hosting our Paryushan/Das Lakshana pravachans remotely via Zoom for all 8/10 days. The scholars will be as follows: Pujya Sadhvi Shri Shilapi ji Maharaj (Sthanak & Dadawadi) Smt. Mehuliben Kamdar (Mahavir Swami Temple) Dr. Mukeshbhai Ajmera (Shrimad Rajchandra) Pandit Mahesh Kumar ji Jain (Adinath Jinalaya) On this auspicious occasion, I ask for Michhami Dukkadam from the entire sakal sangh, and promise to make a sincere effort to celebrate this Paryushan/Das Lakshana as spiritually and safely as possible. Lastly, I would like to thank the Board of Trustees, Executive committee members, religious and kitchen committee members, volunteers, and employees for their continued and selfless support over the past 2 years, despite the unusual circumstances we are facing. Wishing everyone to stay safe, stay healthy, and stay spiritual! Ritesh Shah President, JCA Jain Center of America, New York SHRI MAHAVIRSWAMI DERASAR PARYUSHAN MAHAPARVA SCHEDULE VYAKHYANKAR: Smt. Mehuliben Kamdar All Programs will be also