Sabrina Bilimoria and Jasmine Sholapurwalla. 12-18)

Parsi Press 1 November 2009-January 2010 Letter from the Editors Youth Connections: Saibjee, Shireen Ghandhi We hope you all enjoyed the first issue of the and Yezdi Kharas: Young Class (Ages Parsi Press, and are very thankful for all of your 5 -7) support and good wishes. This would not be possible without the hard work from the children of the upper class. Our mission here at Bepsi Sanjana: the Parsi Press is to inform the community of Middle Class (Ages the youth classes and events, along with new ideas. We hope you all have a healthy, happy, 8 -12) and prosperous New Year. Shernaz Minwalla: The editors of the Parsi Press, Old Class (Ages Sabrina Bilimoria and Jasmine Sholapurwalla. 12-18) Parizad Chinoy: Gujrati Class (Ages 5-12) Diana Bilimoria: Gujrati Class (Ages 12-18) Parsi Press 2 November 2009-January 2010 The ClasClassesses Small Steps flower garlands out of paper leaves and foam flowers. The kids also got some more By: Avvan Sanjana words to put in their homemade dictionaries. Some of the words that they For the month of November, the recently put in include Ahura Mazda, youngest class, taught by Mrs. Shireen Dughdhowa, Jashan, Prophet, Pourushasp, Ghandhi and Mr. Yezdi Kharas, started Religion, Ses, and Zarathustra. Each talking about Jashan, a celebration in which month they get three dictionary words, in you give thanks. They also started their which they have to define the word or write own “Zarathustra Comic Book”, and did a a sentence with the word. These may be project with Mrs. Doris Mehta, in which small steps now, but they will soon get they made their own little divos for their bigger and bigger! room. During the Gujrati class, they reviewed numbers one through ten and were then introduced to parts of the face. Masti in the Middle Class For the December class, they started In November, the students in the learning about the Ses, the importance of middle class, taught by Mrs. Bepsi Sanjana, having a Ses in your house, and more learned about the story of Zarathustra and specifically, what items go on a Ses. They received a vocabulary list. In the December were then given a picture of a Ses, and class, students learned about the Parsi asked to color it. After that lesson, they calendar months, Fasli, Kadmi, and continued with their “Zarathustra Comic Shenshai. In addition to that, they got a Book”. They were then given a small quiz Fasli calendar. In the past month students on Gujrati numbers one through ten. Next, really enjoyed learning about the other they started learning the explanations and calendars. “This is a great learning understandings of some of our prayers, experience,” says a student. At the end of including Ashem Vohu and Yatha Vairyo. every class, students get the pleasure of For the Gujrati lesson that day, they went learning some Guajarati. During these over the parts of the face, and then they classes, Mrs. Parizad Chinoy taught them were given a piece a paper in which they sentences like ‘Are you hungry’. They also had to draw a face and write out all the reviewed all of the Guajarati they have parts. As a project, they made their own learned so far. Parsi Press 23 November 2009-January 2010 The Classes talked about our history, our people, and our future. This class is filled with thinkers, The Upper Class as well as debaters and friends. By Armaity Minwalla Guest teacher, Mrs. Diana Bilimoria, and Darayus Sanjana taught the December class. The class started by a review on the three main In the November class, the older Zoroastrian calendars: Shenshai, Fasli and children in Mrs. Shernaz Minwalla’s class Kadmi. They learned that the Shenshai had a discussion about the meaning behind calendar was the first calendar to be made symbols’ of Zoroastrianism. While there are and every 120 years they would add a many symbols, everyone unanimously month to the calendar, in order to not fall agreed that fire was one of the most behind, and be coordinated with the solar significant symbols. Fire symbolizes health year. However, they only remembered to and warmth, as well as many other things. do this once so they were still behind. The Then, the class discussed other symbols, class also learned that in 1746, a group of like the Faravahar. Later, they discussed priests said the Iranian calendar was the importance of educating people about better, so the Kadmi calendar was born. our religion in response to a very serious Next, the group of students learned that in topic: our decreasing population. With the 1906 a group of Zoroastrians made a Zoroastrian community lessening in calendar that added an extra day to the numbers rapidly, it is up to this generation calendar every four years. This calendar is to make sure that non-Zoroastrians know most frequently used by Zoroastrians, as it who we are. In order to do this, the class is in sync with the regular Gregorian talked about how to educate people and calendar. The class also talked about Pateti, wrote a few sentences which describe this and its importance. As we started our religion. Another way the classes are going Gujarati lesson, Avvan Sanjana was to educate people is by making a wondering how to combine sentences in documentary. In preparation for this huge Gujarati. Therefore, Gujarati teacher Mrs. project, Mrs. Shernaz Minwalla taught us Diana Bilimoria taught the class basic words some new technological skills, and showed to start sentences, such as he, she, you us some videos on YouTube, which we will and I. The class had a wonderful time base our documentary on. The videos learning all this new information. Parsi Press 24 November 2009-January 2010 The ClTheasses Classes and Events Parsi Press 24 November 2009-January 2010 The ClassesThe Classes and Events have been possible without the help of the Social-Sub Committee. Here at the Parsi Ringing in the New Year Press, we wish everyone a very happy By: Avvan Sanjana 2010, and health, joy, happiness and love to be around you all! The 2009 New Years Eve party was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Troy, starting at eight o’clock. Soon after, our community came in ready to celebrate the New Year, which was approaching in a few hours. At first, hot appetizers were served, and shortly after that, the kid’s dinner, which consisted of hamburgers and fries, was ready. After the children ate their meal, the adult food came out. Each dish included chicken with cheese on top, asparagus, scalloped potatoes, and salmon. After dinner was done, dessert was served, which included the choice of blueberry or strawberry cheesecake. With dinner and dessert done it was time to get on the dance floor! The music, which was provided by the Buglis and Ghandhis, included old songs, new songs, and Hindi music. Finally, it was time to count down the last ten seconds of 2009. Everyone made their way to the dance floor with their glasses of champagne or sparkling cider, and counted down the last ten seconds of the 2009. When the clock struck twelve, it was 2010! Everyone hugged and wished each other a Happy New Year. This fabulous New Years Eve party would not Parsi Press 25 November 2009-January 2010 DidThe You Classes Know…? The Magi was indeed a true god. And the third said that he would offer myrrh and if the newborn accepted he was a true sage. After many days of traveling they reached the home of baby Jesus. Jesus In the religion of Christianity, the accepted all three gifts and was declared three wise men play a major role. While a king, a god, and a sage all at once. The many people know their story, they are gifts, especially the gold, helped Jesus' not familiar with the Magi's connection to family survive many hardships later on. the Zoroastrian faith. To this day, there are many debates Many scholars believe the three about the true names of the three Magi. Magi were three Zoroastrian priests, who The most familiar triad is that of heard a prophecy of Zarathustra’s, which Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar from the states when a bright beacon was seen in 6th century document Latina Barbari. the night sky, a savior would be born. On Another famous work, from Syria, says a mountain in Siestan, they kept an that the Magi were kings: Hormizdah of annual two-week watch every winter. Persia, Izgarad of Sabha, and Perozadh of Soon, their patience was rewarded. Sheba. Archaeologists have uncovered the This story clearly shows that remains of a fire temple in southeastern Zoroastrians were the first people to Iran, which they believe was the recognize the divinity of Christ. Now you watchtower of the Magi. know the truth behind the wise men: who Then at last, when the planets they were, where they came from and Jupiter and Saturn were seen in why they came looking for baby Jesus. conjunction, and looked like one bright Unfortunately, not many people know the star, the Magi knew the time had come. true tale behind the three Magi. So next They each chose a gift that they would Christmas, be sure to share this story present to the savior. The first of the with your friends and family. three said that he would offer gold and if the baby accepted he was indeed a true king. The second said that he would offer Source: Fezana-Fall 2004 frankincense and if the infant accepted he Parsi Press 26 November 2009-January 2010 DidThe You Classes Know…? The Importance of Being Zoroastrians.” Many Zoroastrians will say the same.

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