FEZANA JOURNAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA Vol 28 No 3 / Fall 2014, Paiz 1383 AY 3752 Z 102 15 36 73 02 Editorials 65 Gahambar Diaspora 107 Interfaith New Zealand 06 FEZANA Updates 111 Letters to the Editor 66 Gahambar Diaspora 15 GAHAMBARS, Melbourne , Australia 118 Milestone Background and Roots 68 Gahambar Diaspora 122 Obituary United Kingdom 36 GAHAMBARS Around 125 Books and Arts the Hafta Keshwar 72 In the News 133 FEZANA officers Zamin, A Tradition and members to Perpetuate 102 Personal Profiles Associations Gahambars in the 105 Zoroastrian Youth at Diaspora the UN Editor in Chief: Dolly Dastoor, editor(@)fezana.org Technical Assistant: Coomi Gazdar Consultant Editor: Lylah M. Alphonse, lmalphonse(@)gmail.com Language Editor: Douglas Lange Graphic & Layout: Shahrokh Khanizadeh, www.khanizadeh.info Cover design: Feroza Fitch, ffitch(@)lexicongraphics.com Publications Chair: Behram Pastakia bpastakia(@)aol.com Columnists: Shazneen Rabadi Gandhi: rabadis(@)gmail.com; Teenaz Javat: teenazjavat(@)hotmail.com; Mahrukh Motafram: mahrukhm83(@)gmail.com Copy editors: Vahishta Canteenwalla, Yasmin Pavri Subscription Managers: Arnavaz Sethna: ahsethna(@)yahoo.com; Kershaw Dancers photo courtesy Oshihan.org Khumbatta: Arnavaz Sethna(@)yahoo.com Winter 2014 Mehr- Avan – Adar 1383 AY (Fasli) RITUAL IMPLEMENTS THE USE OF THE Ardebehesht – Khordad – Tir 1384 AY (Shenhai) SACRED Khordad - Tir – Amordad 1384 AY (Kadimi) GUEST EDITOR: FIROZA PUNTHAKEY MISTREE Opinions expressed in the FEZANA Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of FEZANA or members of the editorial board. All submissions to the FEZANA JOURNAL become the property of the publication and may be reproduced in any form. Published at Regal Press, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada www.fezana.org FEZANA Journal Vol 28, No 3 ISBN 1068-2376 (USPS 021-495) published quarterly by FEZANA 8615 Meadowbrook Dr., Burr Ridge, IL 60527. Periodical postage rate is paid at Oakbrook, IL 60523 and at additional mailing offices. Annual subscription $25 (US) ; $25 (Canada) and $50 (air) for other countries; details on subscription Form. POSTMASTER: send changes to Fezana Journal, 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. FEZANA Journal - Fall 2014 1 A Word from the Editor EditorialEditorial GAHAMBAR AND THANKSGIVING The Fall issue of the Journal on Gahambars brings to mind the spirit of thankfulness, the spirit of sharing and giving. As we enter the season of Gahambars and Thanksgiving, we need to reflect on what matters most in life: the joys of family and friends, of people we love and with whom we spend the time together, with whom we share our hopes, our dreams and fears. Each family has their own treasure trove of gifts for which they are thankful, healthy children, secure food supply, safe living conditions etc. As we gather round for a simple Gahambar meal let us take time to reflect on the things for which we are most thankful. As a community also we have many things to be thankful for. The Jivo Parsi Scheme has been Yazadis and Kurdish people to the forefront. Are productive, literally , with the first set of twins born. they Zarathushtis? Should they be saved? Yes they Narendra Modi the PM of India continues to take should be saved, but not because they are or are not personal interest in the Udvada Area Development Zarathushtis but because they are innocent human Authority (page 73) by inviting Dasturji Khurshed beings caught in the crossfire. But how can we save Dastur, Dinshaw Tamboly, Homai Engineer and R.J. these people? When we ourselves are a group of Cama to meet with him in Delhi. Udvada may become people without borders, without a country, without a heritage centre one day. We will be thankful for that. a voice. Situations like this make it more and more imperative for us to organize ourselves politically ZAMWI (Washington) has a new home, the Kamran and socially to speak with one voice and be heard. Dare Mehr was inaugurated (page 8), a bigger Several attempts have been made over the years ZAGNY home is on its way. The sports in LA which have all been sabotaged with nebulous fears drew record participants and spectators (page of losing our racial identity. Leaders from the mother 12), our young continue to excel at the UN where . countries of Iran and India and from the diaspora Zoroastrian religion is slowly getting better exposure: need to come together and develop a strategic plan Parzor Foundation has a virtual exhibition on for both growth and survival for the community. Google Cultural Institute, a no mean achievement!!. Hence it behooves us to share our good fortune with But all this can change in a flick of an eyelid!!. people less fortunate, people undergoing hardships As it does for millions of people around the world We need to share our time, our expertise and with disasters, both natural and man made. The our monies. Simple acts of kindness, sharing a recent world events have brought into focus the meal, giving a smile, holding a frightened hand, hardships many in the world are experiencing.. listening to concerns. Acts done without any Why do they experience loss of life or limb or expectation of a reward or acknowledgement will home or possession for no fault of theirs, except bring its own satisfaction in the spirit of a gahambar. that they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yatha Jamyad, yatha afrinami The militant Islamist group ISIS with its expressed desire to see the whole world become Muslim with Sharia law enforced is very troubling. Their barbaric methods of killing innocent people is reminiscent of what happened to the Zarathushtis in 648 CE when the Arabs invaded Iran. There is genuine fear in people especially of my generation. Is history repeating itself? This brings the question of the 2 FEZANA Journal –Fall 2014 A Message from FEZANA President Editorial Dear Presidents and Representatives of Member happen. Heartiest Congratulations to the Zarathushtis Associations, Corresponding Members, Committee of the greater New York and greater Washington, Chairs and fellow Zarathushtis DC areas. These events will help the Zarathushtis in NA towards achieving the four overarching goals SECOND TEN YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN developed by the Infrastructure Development in NA (2011-2021): Committee: The Stakeholders of this plan: Member Associations, - Establishing our identity as North American Corresponding Members, Standing & Ad-Hoc Zarathushtis Committees and the Zarathushti community at large - Perpetuating our community in North America continue to work harmoniously together with the - Gaining visibility in North America as Zarathushtis FEZANA Executive to achieve the 5 major goals as - Branding of Zarathushtis in North America as an identified: industrious, trustworthy community much like the 1. Increase awareness of FEZANA domestically stature achieved in the mother countries of Iran 2. Foster HAMAZORI (harmony) by building strong and India. relationships between various Zarathushti entities/ groups As FEZANA and the member associations continue 3. Advance religious education, cultural awareness, to develop plans for these infrastructure needs, we and interfaith dialogue have to ensure that as we focus on serving the above goals, the assets developed are income 4. Ensure economic stability through fund raising and prudent investments generating as well as self-sustaining to ensure their 5. Showcase FEZANA successes around the world The activities undertaken by FEZANA and its members and committees are showcased in the monthly FEZANA Bulletin and the quarterly FEZANA Journal. Refer to www.fezana.org. FEZANA member associations and committees continue to work actively with complimentary organizations like NAMC, WZCC, and others to find resources within the community to bring this plan to fruition. The Terms of Reference (ToRs) that define the Committees’ mission, roles, and operational responsibilities are being used as road maps to plan and conduct their activities to achieve short and long term goals as identified in this Plan. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NA: perpetuation. These past few months have seen two associations I would like to welcome the newly elected presidents on the East Coast realize their dreams of establishing and board of the following member associations a Dar-e-Mehr for their communities. Zoroastrian to the FEZANA Family: ZAGNY, ZAMWI, ZANT, Association of New York (ZAGNY) and Iranian ZSBC, ZSO, ZAC-Chicago, ZAA, PZO and ZSWS. Zoroastrian Association (IZA) jointly broke ground for their new Dar-e-Mehr in Suffern, New York, and As Gahambars is the theme for this Journal issue, Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington I urge all in FEZANA to hold these celebratory DC (ZAMWI) celebrated the grand opening of their festivals in their communities to inspire the unity and Kamran Dar-e-Mehr in Boyds, Maryland. Homi spirituality of their people. Let us practice charity Gandhi, FEZANA Vice President and I were invited to and honesty within our communities, socialize with both these momentous events and happily participated our loved ones, and remember to live our lives as in the celebrations together with the local Parsis and Ahura Mazda taught us to. As we nurture a love for Iranis who had jointly worked hard to make this humanity and promote our Zarathushti way of life, we FEZANA Journal –Fall 2014 3 A Message from FEZANA President Editorial are increasingly aware of our religion and culture continue this work and prepare for our future, we domestically and globally. This is the vision we are need to constantly raise funds. promoting to instill pride in our future generations I request that we continue to follow the 5-STAR Guiding Principles: Teamwork, Respect Diversity, Please continue to support FEZANA’s goals and Innovation, Empowerment & an Optimistic ‘Can activities with your generous donations. Your donations Do Attitude’. Let us continue to work individually are used wisely to help those in real need, in planning and collectively for a unified, knowledgeable and coordinating religious education, scholarships, Zarathushti community in North America.