Jai Jinendra!

JAINA has organized an essay writing competition on "Jainism in 21st Century". Individual of any age group can participate. Please send your entries by May 15, 2019. More details are below.

It is a proud moment for all Jains across the world and Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago members that the first time outside of India, a road (Route - IL 59) is being designated as Mahavir Swami Road. More details are below.

Jain Vishwa Bharati of North America brings you an annual Spiritual Family Camp from June 7-9, 2019. Details are below.

Warm Regards,
Gunvant Shah
JAINA President
04-28-2019

We are excited to know what you think about "Jainism in 21st Century" in the form of an essay. The best story will be published in our newsletter and at www.jaina.org. Please send your entries to jainahq@jaina.org by May 15, 2019.

Competition Rules:

1. Age: No bar
2. Articles should be in English language and a maximum of 400 words long in a word file.
3. Writing style must be clear and easy to understand.
4. Please write your name, address and phone number along with the story.
5. An essay is welcomed from anywhere in the world.

During Mahavir Janma Kalyanak celebrations, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) received a pleasant surprise of a road (IL 59) between Lake Street and Baytree Dr being finally designated as Mahavir Swami Road.

The bill was sponsored by State Senator Tom Cullerton and State Rep. Christine Winger among others and was adopted by both on November 14th, 2018. Senator Cullerton and Rep. Winger were Chief Guest during JCMC's 25th Anniversary celebrations.

This is a first such designation of a road anywhere in the world, outside of India. It is a proud moment for all Jains across the world and JSMC Members in specific. It is now our responsibility to ensure that this road stretch becomes one of the safest in the country.

Jain Vishwa Bharti of North America brings you an annual Spiritual Family Camp 2019 on the theme "You are the creator of your Destiny". The camp will be led by Samani Malay Pragyaji & Samani Neeti Pragyaji. There will be parallel sessions for youth and children age 5 & up, complete with interactive lectures, practical sessions, games, and crafts.

Registration Fee:
Family (2 Adult & up to 2 kids) is $300.
For single person $150
One day daytime camp is $85 per adult. (All meals included, no stay accommodation)

The fees cover program participation, meals, & accommodation.

Camp Dates: June 7-9, 2019, Friday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM
Venue: Arsha Vidya, 651 Route 115, Saylorsburg, PA 18353
Registration Deadline - June 1st, 2019.

For queries, please write to Family Camp Team at camp@jvbnj.org

Last weekend, the YJA Board and JAINA Long Range Planning (LRP) Committee came together in Chicago to solve some of the biggest challenges our Jain youth community faces. The LRP Committee is tasked with supporting and guiding JAINA infrastructure development and operational strategies, as well as catalyzing and enabling sustainable projects. Together, they discussed a number of current YJA initiatives and reevaluated how to ensure their success and growth for the coming years. YJA also learned about several projects LRP has been putting their energy into!

On March 15, 2019, YJP hosted "Jainism in the Workplace" at the 2019 YJA South Retreat, a session discussing various careers paths such as finance, medicine, and law and how we can facilitate change and practice Jainism in these fields. While Pathshala provides us with the spiritual needs to take on the real world, it will be upon each of us to determine how we will incorporate Jainism in our everyday lives.