Dear JAINA Family, 

It is with immense joy and gratitude that I reflect on the resounding success of the 2025 JAINA Convention in Chicago. This year’s gathering was not just an event, it was a celebration of our shared values, vibrant culture, and collective spirit. From the soul-stirring spiritual temple & variety of sessions to the electrifying entertainment, dramas, Jains Got Talent showcase, from the insightful sessions hosted by YJA, YJP, and Jain Connect to the deeply engaging Jain Academic Bowl—every moment was a testament to the richness of our community. 

A heartfelt thank you to the entire Convention team, our convention leaders, and especially the Jain Society of Chicago, whose co-sponsorship and hospitality elevated the experience for all. The food, the entertainment, the ecological awareness, and the professional networking—there was truly something for everyone. This convention will be remembered as one of the most enjoyable and widely attended in JAINA history. 

I’m also proud to announce that three of our committees were honored with the JAINA Excellence Award: the Jivdaya Committee, the Academic Liaison Committee, and the Long Range Planning Committee. Their dedication and innovation are inspiring examples of how focused leadership can elevate our mission. I encourage all committees to take a page from their playbook and continue raising the bar. 

We warmly welcome our newly nominated JAINA Directors from member Jain Centers across North America. Your energy and commitment will help shape the next chapter of our journey. We look forward to your contributions and leadership. 

As we approach the sacred observances of Paryushana and Das-Laxana, let us prepare our minds and hearts for reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. JAINA will be hosting online sessions in Gujarati, Hindi, and English to help everyone participate meaningfully, regardless of location. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. 

Together, let us continue to build a community rooted in compassion, wisdom, and unity. 

With gratitude and blessings,  

Bindesh Shah  

President, JAINA 

We are proud to announce that the JAINA Jivdaya Committee has been awarded the Committee Excellence Award at the JAINA Convention held in Chicago in July 2025. 

This prestigious recognition celebrates the Committee’s consistent, impactful work in animal compassion (Jivdaya) over the years, including: 

• Supporting numerous Gaushalas and Panjrapoles across the U.S., India, and beyond. 
• Conducting emergency relief missions, including water tankers during droughts and fodder aid during crises. 
• Sponsoring medical camps for animals and encouraging plant-based diets aligned with Jain values. 
• Facilitating community awareness programs through webinars, newsletters, and youth education. 

Under the leadership of Shri Ketan Sheth and the unwavering support of regional Jivdaya teams, the committee has set a benchmark in compassionate service, aligned with the core tenets of Jainism. 

Click here to have a glimpse of the journey of Jivdaya Committee from 2008 till today.  

The Jain Digest committee is pleased to feature two articles that have been published in the June 2025 issue of Jain Digest.  

1. How to Stop Suffering and Create Our Own Happiness by Ramesh Khandhar 
2. Forgiveness: An Eckhart Tolle Perspective by Payal Seth 

Please see the attached file for a brief description of these articles. 

A significant academic milestone has been achieved with the establishment of the Tirthankar Sumatinath Distinguished Professorship in Jain Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. The professorship, created through a $1 million gift from North American donors, marks the 24th endowed position established by JAINA's Academic Liaison Committee (ALC)—symbolically reflecting the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. 

Housed in the Department of Asian Studies, the new position will be overseen by Professor Donald R. Davis, supporting year-round courses and research in Jain ethics, non-violence, sustainability, and peace studies. The announcement was made during a special ceremony held on July 19, 2025, at the Jain Vishwa Bharati Center in Houston, attended by nearly 100 scholars, donors, and dignitaries. 

This milestone adds to a growing global academic footprint, with Jain studies now present in 55 universities across 13 countries. Leaders at the event hailed the initiative as a visionary step toward nurturing ethical global citizens through ancient wisdom. 

Click here to read more.

Unlock the Path to Mokṣa through Samyag-darśana—Right Perception—in a 14-week online course taught entirely in Hindi by Prof. Jitendra B. Shah, PhD, a leading scholar in Jain studies. 

Participants will explore how to overcome false beliefs, understand the eight limbs of right perception, and apply these teachings to their own spiritual journey. 

Check the full course brochure here.

Monthly Jain satsangs have been regularly held by the Jain community of Lake County, Illinois, on the fourth Sunday of each month. From 1:30 to 3:00 PM, devotional stavans are rendered by community members, including performances led by Vasu Choksi. Each satsang concludes with aarti. 

Mahavir Jayanti is also celebrated annually in the month of April with traditional fervor. 

In July, the Jain Center of Minnesota (JCM) successfully organized two vibrant summer events — a Cricket League and a Family Picnic — drawing participation from over 100 Jain families. 

The Cricket League fostered sportsmanship and intergenerational engagement, with youth and adults, including women, competing enthusiastically. The Family Picnic, held at a local park, featured traditional Jain meals, kids’ activities, games, and a bouncy house, offering fun for all ages. 

These gatherings reinforced community bonds and reflected Jain values of unity, wellness, and joyous fellowship. 

A two-part Health Fair was organized by the Jain Society of Greater Atlanta (JSGA) on July 26 (for blood testing) and August 3 (for free health consultations), aimed at promoting wellness within the community. 

Fifty percent of the screening cost was subsidized by JSGA. The initiative received an enthusiastic response, with active participation from both community members and local healthcare professionals. 

The USA Women's Blind Cricket Team was welcomed by Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) with open arms and warm hospitality. The highlight of the visit was the interaction with our young enthusiasts, who were bursting with excitement and curiosity! They asked the players some amazing questions, and we loved seeing the smiles on their faces.  

The USA’s first-ever Women’s Blind Cricket Team was possible with the initiatives of Samarthanam USA and Cricket Association for the Blind in the United States of America.  

Team USAs will participate in the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind scheduled to be held in November 2025 in India. 

We're rooting for you, Team USA!

A significant milestone in the history of Jainism in North America is set to unfold with the opening of the Shrimad Rajchandra Spiritual Center, USA—a 400-acre sanctuary for the mind, body, and soul nestled in the scenic Poconos near the New Jersey border.

The center’s inauguration will coincide with Pujya Gurudevshri’s 60th Birth Anniversary celebrations, marked by the Festival of Bliss, from September 26–28, 2025. 

More details and registration information can be found at www.srmd.org/festival-of-bliss.