Zoroastrian Association of California December 2016

Transcription

1 Zoroastrian Association of California December Executive Committee President Tehmi Damania Vice President Perinne Medora Treasurer Rooky Fitter Joint Secretaries Parvez Erani and Deelnavaz Tarapore Program Chair Prochi Mistry Youth Coordinator Shirley Limath UPCOMING EVENTS NEW YEAR S EVE CELEBRATIONS: December 31, 2016 from 8:00 pm Once again join the ZAC Family to celebrate New Year s Eve and raise a champagne toast with dinner and dance at the ZAC Center on Saturday December 31, 2016 from 8:00 pm onwards. BYOB and your appetites for Noorani s delicious dinner and your dancing shoes to dance away the Big Night. If you wish to share the sweetness with one dessert per family, please feel free to get one. Cost: $20 per person. Children 12 years and under FREE. RSVP by December 25, 2016 either by Credit Card Payment at ZACLA.Org or by Check to be received at the Center by the cut off date. LET S GET TOGETHER AND ENJOY AS ONE BIG FAMILY Maidyarem Ghambhar: January 1, 2017 at 11:00 am What could be better than starting the New Year with a Jashan. Come one, come all and let's celebrate the New Year and the Ghambhar with a Jashan followed by lunch! Maidyarem Ghambhar will be held on Sunday January 1st, 2017 at 11:00 am. If you would like to sponsor this Ghambhar please contact Mobed Zarrir Bhandara. In order to get a proper head count for lunch please RSVP to Zarrir Bhandara by - zbhandara@gmail.com by December 27, Navroze Function: Saturday March 18, 2017 Save the Date. More details to follow in the next newsletter. PAST EVENTS Halloween ZAC celebrated Halloween on October 30th with a lot of fun and participation from the tiny and not so tiny tots. About 14 children and some Adults dressed up in their Halloween finery and paraded on the stage for all to clap and enjoy! Special Congratulatory ZAC Certificates were awarded individually to all the young participants who very proudly displayed them for photographs taken by their happy parents. Games and artwork were enjoyed by all followed by a catered Chinese dinner.

2 INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE ATASH KADEH Six years after the ZAC center was opened, the dream of having a prayer hall was finally turned into reality. On Sunday, November 13, 2016, Roj Mahrespand the beautiful edifice was opened for the use of the community and their guests. The building was sanctified for 48 hours by prayers performed by Mobed Zarrir and Zerkxis Bhandara. The morning of the 13th witnessed the beautiful Atash Kadeh decorated inside and out with festive torans and balloons with community members dressed in their finery of daglis and saris awaiting the ribbon cutting ceremony. With a full throated rendition of Chhaiye Hamey Zarthosti the ribbon was ceremoniously cut by 2 couples together Arda-E-Viraf and Hootoxi Minocherhomjee and Sohrab and Sharon Charna. The very first Boi ceremony was then performed by Mobed Zarrir Bhandara, followed by a Machi and a Jashan which was performed by 12 mobeds of the community together. It was an ethereal experience for all present. Since the hall could accommodate about100 guests, arrangements were specially made to stream the entire proceedings live in the main Arjani Hall of the center. On completion of the prayers, the people reverentially offered sandal wood and lighted tea lights with glowing hearts. The atmosphere was charged with joy and a feeling of achievement for all. No prayers are complete without a scrumptious chaasni generously brought by many which had delicacies such as ravo, malido, sev, dahi, tarela kera, nuts, fruits and cookies that lasted the whole day with hot tea and coffee for all. The Felicitation ceremony took place in the Arjani Hall. Perinne Medora Vice President of ZAC welcomed the audience of 268 present in the Hall and emceed the proceedings. The event started with beautiful songs cutely sung by 13 Zarthushti tiny tots directed by Huty Contractor which got a standing ovation from all present. They were Cyrus Anklesaria, Iyana and Arshan Bodhanwalla, Zane and Zara Commissariat, Zubin Daruwalla, Kyan Lali, Nadia Mehta, Ryaan and Riaa Morena, Ariana Raetz and Shahyan and Parzan Siganporia. President of Fezana Homi Gandhi who now resides in California addressed the congregation and congratulated ZAC on this great achievement. He mentioned that Fezana encourages all Zoroastrian Associations worldwide to have a Prayer Hall constructed for the use of their members and to keep the flame of our noble religion alive and well. Mobed Zarrir Bhandara read out the congratulatory message received from Dasturjee Dr. Firoze Kotwal and also talked about the importance of fire and prayers in the lives of Zarthushtis everywhere. President Tehmi Manek Damania then came on stage to felicitate Mobed Zarrir Bhandara. She praised him for his tireless and selfless services offered to the community 24/7 and presented him with a memento on behalf of the community. In her address Tehmi mentioned the events over the past months that led to the building of the Atash Kadeh from a mere thought to the fulfillment of the dream. She mentioned the constant support of Tehemtan Arjani who always encouraged the community to get together to collect funds for the Atash Kadeh. Tehemtan was called upon the stage to receive his memento amid cheers from all present. Humble as always, Tehemtan acknowledged with thanks but credited the effort to the whole community stating It was a community effort. Tehmi then continued the flow of events when Arda-e-Viraf Minocherhomjee stepped up with the first generous pledge in memory of his parents Freny and Minocher Minocherhomjee. The community had applauded him and had agreed to give the naming rights of the Atash Kadeh to him. Arda was felicitated before the whole congregation. Tehmi then invited the ex-president of NAMC Kobad Zarolia on stage and talked about his visit to ZAC a few years ago when the thought of building the prayer hall was in motion. He had then cleared the

3 naming confusion that prevailed in the community at that time and advised the community at a meeting that the correct name for the building would be Atash Kadeh which was then adopted by ZAC. Kobad was also felicitated with a memento from the ZAC community. The Atash Kadeh now needed the Alaats and the Afarganyu to be placed inside. And who should come to our aid? It was none other than Firdosh Mehta who has made his life s mission to help get these special Zoroastrian items from non functioning Agiaries around the world. He has so far helped setting up seven such prayer halls in different states and still counting. He does it all by himself and with his time and money too! A true Zarthosti spirit in action. Tehmi presented him with an appreciation memento. It was now time to recognize the main architect of the whole project. Our very own Sohrab Charna who did a marvelous job of creating an edifice which is unique and praiseworthy of all who laid eyes on it that day. Amidst thunderous applause Sohrab was called on stage and presented with a plaque which read Presented to Sohrab Charna in appreciation for transforming our vision of the Atash Kadeh building from a dream to reality. The ZAC community will forever be grateful The audience gave Sohrab a standing ovation. Finally came the turn of the Contractor Feridon Ghostasbi. Tehmi informed the gathering that the uniqueness of the construction of the Atash Kadeh was that the contractor and the construction crew who worked on the building were all Zarthushtis. This project took longer than the expected date but the final outcome was worth it all. Feridon then explained that the delay was more due to unexpected peripheral surprises of pipelines and electrical diggings required to be done and the fact that Sohrab was a stickler for perfection. Fred was presented with a memento for his services. Tehmi thanked each and every one who was instrumental in any way for the completion of the project and the inaugural ceremony - specially Katy Alamshaw & her team of volunteers, Vira Santoke, Mithra Irani, Khushnam Crawford Gandhi, Xerxes Commissariat and Houtoxi Contractor for the delicious parsi custard. Others who were acknowledged for their part in the day s success were Khushru Dubash, Firouz Felfeli, Noshir Irani and Shireen Irani. The ZAC committee was particularly grateful to Benaifer and Bomi Patel for flying out to Southern California to spearhead the catering for the lunch along with local volunteers Aban Kapadia, Jimmy Colabewala and Dilnavaz & Vistasp Shroff. It was now the turn to felicitate a very important person who was closely connected with building of the Atash Kadeh. Perinne Medora described her as the backbone of the entire project and called on stage President of ZAC Tehmi Damania and her perfect partner Manek to be felicitated. She informed all present of the dedication of this couple who put in their heart and soul for the success of this project working 24/7, this was truly a classic case of commitment and selfless service. To them it was not a mere project but a labor of love The entire ZAC Executive committee board members came on the stage to present a plaque to them that read ZAC gratefully acknowledges the unmeasured dedication and selfless service given by Tehmi and Manek Damania for whom the project of building of the Atash Kadeh was a true labor of love. The audience gave a thunderous standing ovation to them. Tehemtan and Dogdo Arjani then felicitated Arda-E-Viraf Minocherhomjee, Sohrab Charna, Mobed Zarrir Bhandara and Tehmi and Manek Damania by honoring them with shawls from the Arjani Family. The program ended with a Big Thank You to all and a short prayer by Perinne: Dear Ahura Mazda May our Atash Kadeh be a place where friends meet and pray Family gathers and love grows. May we always pray to have Eyes that see the best in people A Heart that forgives the worst And a Soul that never loses faith in GOD. AMEN!!

4 Everyone then dispersed for a delicious Parsi Bhonu of Dhan Daar, Kolmino Patiyo, Sali-Murgi, with Palak Paneer and naan and rounding off with super lagan nu custard made by volunteers with the famous recipe shared by Katy Alamshaw with them. IT WAS ALL IN ALL A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE FOR THE BODY AND THE SOUL General Body Meeting Held on November 20, 2016 was attended by 54 members. As there was no quorum the meeting was adjourned for one hour and then reconvened at 5:09 pm. The meeting started with a humbundagi by Mobed Zarrir Bhandara followed by a moment of silence for the members of our community who passed away this year. Tehmi Damania presented her Executive Committee Report in which she let the members present know that if anyone had any doubts about ZAC being a religious organization then we have indeed proved them wrong. This year we have celebrated four ghambhars and our Atash Kadeh building is another testament to our community s commitment to prayer and the Zoroastrian religion. She apologized for the inconvenience that the members had to go through but all that was now over and even the parking lot has been completed. Many members have a lot of questions about printing a new directory. She let the members know that the committee planned to release a new directory next year and that details would be going out in the newsletter along with the form. She thanked all the members of the different committees and all the volunteers. The Treasurer, Rooky Fitter, gave her financial report which was duly approved. Rooky Fitter then acknowledged the help given by Khushroo Dubash, Firouz Felfeli, & Noshir Irani for their hands-on assistance with the Atash Kadeh project. The members were also informed that ZAC had been approved for the welfare exemption from the State Board of equalization and will be calling for an EGM with a formalized proposal in due course to discuss and vote for the project. The meeting was adjourned with a big Thank you to all present. Tirangan Jashan The community celebrated the Tir Mahina nu Parabh with a jashan on November 27 th. It was so close to thanksgiving and it had been a very busy social weekend the attendance was a little low compared to all our other Ghambars and Parabhs. However the jashan was held in the new Atash Kadeh and members who had not come for the opening were happy to attend the jashan and the boi ceremony after lunch performed by Mobed Zarrir Bhandara. This parabh was sponsored by an anonymous donor. ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations Congratulations to Zane and Zara Commissariat on their Navjote Ceremony on November 26th, Parents, Diana and Xerxes Commissariat, and grandparents Aban and Nauzer Commissariat and Shireen and Dinyar Irani who celebrated the event with family and friends in Laguna Woods, California. Condolences Minoo Dorabji Jijina (age 79) passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2016; son of the late Darabji and Dina Jijina, husband of Aloo, father of Vistasp, Selena and Aspandyar, grandfather of Farhad, Delnavaz, Deryus, Neville and Tehmas; brother to Homi and Dhun and brother to late Noshir, Jiji, Rusi, Nari and Nergish. Our sincere condolences to the =family.

5 Cyrus R. Fatakia Scholarship Recipients We are happy to announce the following recipients of the Cyrus R Fatakia Scholarship for the year Darius Bhadha: Darius Bhadha will be a junior at the University of Southern California. His major field of study is Human Biology with a minor in Entrepreneurship. He is a Lifeguard at the YMCA in La Canada and has worked as a Lab Technician at the Camm Lab in Los Angeles, CA. Darius has also volunteered for our own ZAC community for several years. He is one of our young practicing Mobeds and is always mentoring and teaching the younger generation of Zoroastrian Youth whenever possible. We are very happy to award our Scholarship to this very enthusiastic, outgoing and ambitious young man. Congratulations, Darius! Kashmin Dalal: Kashmin Dalal will be a Sophomore at the Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She plans to major in Child Psychology. Kashmin has been on the Academic Honor Roll for all 4 years of High School and she graduated with highest Honors in Kashmin has been a member of a volunteer-based organization, the Fairfield High School s Interact Club. She has volunteered for the RASKALS organization Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors and with an organization called OMA Opening Minds through Art, which works with seniors afflicted with dementia, through art and conversation. She has displayed excellence in academics, music, service and leadership. She aspires to be a Child Psychologist and with her caring, giving, nature, there is no doubt in our minds that she will make a difference in many children s lives. We heartily congratulate Kashmin and wish her much success in her college career! Natashaa Dalal: Natashaa Dalal is a very bright young lady graduating with a 5.1 GPA from the Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, Texas. She plans to attend the University of Texas in Dallas, this fall of 2016 as a freshman, with hopes of graduating with a major in Psychology. Her goal is to eventually become a Psychiatrist. Natashaa is an active member & Chapter President of the FCCLA Family, Community & Career Leaders of America. Her dedication and service to FCCLA helped her win First Place in her competitive event across the State of Texas. This summer, she will take her competition to the National Leadership Conference and compete with others across the Nation! She is also a member of the Spanish National Honors Society which recognizes achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and promotes interest in Luso-Brazilian studies; She is part of the Varsity Women s and the Varsity Mixed Choir groups & a Vista Ridge High School Honors Awardee! To paraphrase her Physics teacher, Jane Mitsud: Natashaa impresses me in her ability to competently maintain intensive academic demands while displaying an unwavering dedication to extra-curricular activities. This displays a personal maturity and a sense of priorities well above her years! We are indeed proud to present the Cyrus R Fatakia Scholarship to Natashaa Dalal! Sanaya Kateli: Sanaya Kateli is from Monrovia, CA and will be a Sophomore at UCLA, CA this Fall Semester. Her chosen field of study is Political Science and Film & Digital Media. Sanaya graduated Freshman year at UCLA with a 3.89 GPA. Sanaya has won the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and the Math & Science Academy Honorable Mention Award; she has been on the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2016, the French Honor Society and was a Gold Seal Graduate in Sanaya has been the President of the Mock Trial and Debate Club , and has

6 attended Summer Law Programs at Stanford Law and UCLA Law. We wish Sanaya the very best in pursuing her college education and future goals. Malcolm Pithawalla: Malcom Pithawalla graduated from Arcadia High School with a 3.7 GPA. He has applied as a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and his goal is get a BS degree in Chemical Engineering. Malcolm was the President of the Chemistry Club ( ); Treasurer of the Young Republicans ( ); Interclub Council Representative of the Young Democrats ( ); A Tai Kwan Do Trainer ( ); A Soccer Referee ( ); and last but not least, the Social Media Leader of our own ZAC community for the last year, placing our ZAC community Online for all of us! Congratulations, Malcolm! Bezon Rustomi: Bezon Rustomi will be a junior at the University of California in Riverside, and hopes to eventually earn a Degree in Medicine; This Year, at UCR, Bezon will be working at the Loma Linda Hospital as a part of the clinical research program in the Anesthesiology Department. Bezon has also won the Chancellor s Scholarship at UCR. Bezon competes in, and teaches Taekwondo; He has shown leadership qualities in this field of Martial Arts and has earned his 4th degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He is a great Instructor, and a knowledgeable, responsible and passionate human being with an impeccable character, who has earned the respect of his peers and his fellow instructors. Bezon is also the Social Media Director of the Migraine Awareness Club at UCR, organizing key events and contributing new and innovative ideas, and leading other board members in their outreach programs. We are happy to acknowledge this fine young man and to award him the Cyrus R Fatakia Scholarship. Burzin Sagar: Burzin Sagar has an AA and AS diploma from Chabot College in Hayward, CA. He had to take a break away from his studies for a few years due to financial difficulties at home. He is a hard working, persevering individual who worked as a Dialysis Technician at Davita Dialysis in Union City, CA and at the El Camino Hospital in Mt. View, CA. But Burzin never gave up his dream to get a Nursing degree and he has enrolled at the Chamberlin College of Nursing in Phoenix, Arizona since the last 4 semesters and has maintained a 3.5 GPA there. He has a passion for Nursing and would like to complete his RN degree by the end of We could think of no other candidate who is as hard-working, diligent and deserving of our Scholarship as Burzin. We congratulate Burzin and wish him continued success in his future endeavors! Congratulations to all of our bright, young students! We wish you all the very best of luck and much success in your future careers! The Cyrus R Fatakia Scholarship Committee

7 Loving Memory of our beloved Cyrus It s been 10 long years. You loved every sunrise, every sunset, every rainbow and every living thing; We have to live our lives well, in order to honor yours; And so we go on With love in our hearts, remembering and honoring you always; Hoping that you are watching over us; Hoping that you know how much we miss you, how much we love you and how much we care; Hoping that you are soaring free and your mind is at Peace; Hoping that we will see you again someday soon Cyrus, we love you ever more each day! Remembering You, Cyrus ~ At the rising of the sun and its going down, we remember you. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember you. In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember you. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember you. At the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember you. As long as we live, you too, shall live, for you are always a part of us, as we remember you. When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember you. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember you. When we have joy we crave to share, we remember you. When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember you. When we have achievements that we want to share, we remember you. As long as we live, you too shall live, for you are always a part of us, as we remember you. Remembering you, Cyrus, with endless love, Mom, Dad and Darius Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; Love never ends What greater thing is there for human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life and beyond to be with each other in silent, unspeakable memories?

8 We Did It!

9 Zoroastrian Association of California Membership Form January to December, 2017 Quantity Please Select Type Membership(s): ( ) Life Husband/wife & children under 18 (DOB Req d) $3000 ** ( ) Family Husband/wife & children under 18 (DOB Req d) $125 ( ) Individual Adult (over 18) $60 ( ) Senior Over 65 Years of Age $40 ( ) Student Full time Student (under 18) $40 ** Effective immediately All members MUST complete this form accurately. TITLE FIRST LAST ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE ( ) - DOB / / NEWSLETTER BY MEMBERSHIP TYPE: life family individual senior Student TITLE FIRST LAST ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE ( ) - DOB / / NEWSLETTER BY MEMBERSHIP TYPE: life family individual senior Student TITLE FIRST LAST ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE ( ) - DOB / / NEWSLETTER BY MEMBERSHIP TYPE: life family individual senior Student TITLE FIRST LAST ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE ( ) - DOB / / NEWSLETTER BY MEMBERSHIP TYPE: life family individual senior Student DONATIONS are IMPORTANT Maintenance General Youth Education Life Members please contribute towards the Center's maintenance. Why not donate at least $60 a year (only $5 per month) to ZAC? CHOOSE to help. (If additional space is needed, please use another form) Please mail this form along with your check payable to ZAC: Rooky Fitter, Treasurer Zoroastrian Association of California, 1424 E. Walnut Ave, Orange, CA or complete this form online and pay with credit card at

10 1424 E. Walnut Avenue Orange, CA To ZAC Upcoming Events at a Glance All functions at the ZAC Center in Orange New Year s Eve Celebration: December 31, 8:00 pm Maidyarem Gahambar: January 1, 11:00 am SAVE THE DATE Navroze Celebration: March 18, 2017 Wishing you A Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year