Atul Shah, JAINA’s First Vice President and 2025 Convention Convener, recently embarked on an inspiring journey to India and Dubai. His mission focused on strengthening relationships with Jain organizations, engaging with spiritual leaders, and exploring opportunities for collaboration within the global Jain community.

During his travels, Atulbhai visited Abhay Firodia Museum, Digamber temples, Terapanth University in Ladnun, met with prominent Jain leaders, and held discussions with scholars and thought leaders. In Dubai, he worked towards uniting Jain Sanghs and fostering a shared vision for the future of the Jain community worldwide. 

These valuable connections will play a crucial role in enriching the upcoming 2025 JAINA Convention, helping to inspire spiritual growth and unity on a global scale. 

The JAINA Long Range Planning (LRP) Committee is thrilled to invite you to the next session in its virtual seminar series, titled "Achieving Professional Success: Enhancing Your Career with Jain Values." This enlightening event will feature distinguished speakers who will share insights on integrating Jain principles into professional life for greater career success. 

Event Details: 

• Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025 
• Time: 4 PM EST | 3 PM CST | 1 PM PST 
• Mode: Virtual (Zoom details to follow) 

Speakers: 

• Dr. Dipak Jain – Former Dean, INSEAD & Kellogg School of Management 
• Nirva Patel – Executive Director, Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program 

Watch a snippet from our previous seminar: Click here 

For more information, email: lrp.jaina@gmail.com 

Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America) is an organization that "prepares young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime". Scouts can earn a Jain Religious Award (Knot and Pin) that shows they have a foundational knowledge of Jain vows, principles, and even some popular sutras. For more information, please visit https://www.jaina.org/page/Scouting  

Scout Sunday is around the Scouting Anniversary on Feb 8th 2025. To celebrate, we are encouraging scouts to wear their uniform to your local Pathshala. Please email any group pictures to scouting@jaina.org, by Feb 28, 2025. We'll create a collage image to celebrate JAINA Scouts, for use on the JAINA Scouting website. There has been interest int the past to form Jain trips for the High Adventure Camps (Seabase, Northern Tier, Philmont), as a way to experience Scouting adventures with other Jain Scouts.  

If you are interested in leading a group, or joining a group, please contact us on scouting@jaina.org 

JAINA is excited to announce its active participation and co-hosting of several key events during the Winter Program 2025 in India. These events provide an incredible opportunity to connect with the global Jain community, celebrate spiritual milestones, and participate in impactful initiatives. 

Below is a table summarizing the details of these events: 

JAINA is pleased to be the co-host of this event, which  will spotlight Jainism's profound contributions to society, from art, architecture, and philosophy to economic and social welfare. Key discussions will also explore how Jain principles can shape the next decade.  

Join us in celebrating this rich legacy and shaping the future of Jainism.

To submit your research paper for the conference, or to know more about the detailed agenda of the event, click here

The much anticipated JAINA Calendar for 2025 is planned to be mailed out to existing mailing list in Mid-Late Dec to NA households.

This beautifully designed calendar is a perfect way to stay connected to Jain values and festivals throughout the year. 

How You Can Get Involved: 

The Jain Center of New Jersey (JCNJ) and Gujarati Pathshala hosted a Kids' Rangoli Competition on October 19-20, 2024, in Franklin Township. The event encouraged creativity and cultural awareness, with participants showcasing colorful Rangoli designs. A standout entry was a Mahavir Bhagwan-themed Rangoli by a 10-year-old. The event ended with an Award Ceremony, where organizers thanked parents and acknowledged the support of Shubham and Shivam Kothari. 

Click here for the link of more videos and photos of Rangolis.

Click here for the detailed report of the event.

The Jain Society of Greater Cleveland celebrated Diwali and Mahavir Nirvanotsav with full community participation. On October 31, members performed pratikraman, Diwali Garanu, and Dev Vandan. Saturday’s events included Dwar Opening, Manglik, Ashtaprakari pooja, and Gautam Swami Raas. On Sunday, Mahavir Nirvan was observed with Parva Poojas and Nirvan Laddoo offerings. Over 150 members attended a Cultural Program featuring Pathshala children reciting sutras and five skits performed by children to highlight Jain principles like Ahimsa, Satya, and Peace. 

Jain Americans are reimagining Thanksgiving by embracing their faith’s principle of ahimsa (nonviolence). Rather than the traditional turkey dinner, many Jain families celebrate with plant-based meals, participate in fasting rituals, or attend temple services to pray for the lives lost in turkey slaughter. The holiday is seen as a time to express gratitude and compassion, aligning with Jain values that prioritize minimizing harm to all living beings. 

This year, as more people opt for vegetarian and plant-based Thanksgiving options, Jain practices resonate with broader trends toward wellness and sustainability. For more on how Jain Americans have adapted Thanksgiving traditions, visit the full articles on Religion News Service and CNN.