The Midwest Region covers:

٠Illinois	٠Indiana
٠Iowa	٠Kansas
٠Michigan	٠Missouri
٠Nebraska	٠North Dakota
٠Ohio	٠South Dakota
٠Wisconsin	٠Manitoba

Midwest Regional Coordinator:

Midwest Local Representatives:
Click here to access the full list of the local representatives from the midwest region. If you live in any of the Midwest cities and want to get involved please contact either your LR or the Midwest RC, Bijal Shah. We are looking for motivated youth to start youth groups across the Midwest! To join the Midwest Yahoo Groups and be connected to the youth of the Midwest, e-mail me, so I can add you to the list.

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Habitat For Humanity

The Midwest Region will host Habitat For Humanity in Waukegan, IL and Plymouth, MI. Visit www.yja.org/h4h for dates and locations.

Young Jains of Purdue

Young Jains of Purdue are looking to start a Jain youth group at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  For more information contact Chirag Mehta at mehtac@purdue.edu

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Jain Religion Center of Wisconsin

The Mahavir Jayanti celebration on April 24, 2005, at the Jain Religion Center of Wisconsin was an interesting and exciting experience. The gathering of nearly 100 Jains was truly a memorable event. The celebration began with children reciting Navkaar Mantra followed by a presentation of the essays they had written on Jain values. Each child had prepared a biography of Bhagwan Mahavir and the values of the Jain religion that he preached to us. The youth, ranging from ages 3 to 17, read their essays aloud with to the congregation. The essay reading, a very informative process, was much appreciated by the audience.

After the presentation, we changed into costumes for our traditional play. The purpose of the play was to inform the audience about the past lives of Bhagwan Mahavir, and his path to achieving self-realization. Parents also helped organize and conduct the play, and even filled in for a few parts during the performance. The festivities concluded with a dance by some of the younger member of our community.
Following the skit, the community organized the presentation of various Jain activities involves it in. Another presentation on the Jain temple accounts showed the members the progress of temple over the last fiscal year. In addition to the presentations, a voting of the new board members took place with 64 members voting for the five candidates who were nominated. The members then left for the Aarti, and a few remsined to help set up the hall for the dinner. A few stayed back to pray at the temple for a little longer on this holy day. Such a congregation of so many Jains in some small town of Wisconsin is a rare occurrence; yet, it was essential in bringing together many like-minded Jains on this auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti.

Young Jains Chicago (YJC)

Equipped with passion, commitment, and devotion, the youth in Chicago have combined to embrace the concepts of Jain philosophy. Upcoming events include a youth lock-in and the Mahavir Jayanti program hosted at the Jain Temple in Bartlett, Illinois on April 23. The Mahavir Jayanti festivities include a cultural program with youth participating in the play “Chandanbala”, and youth dance performances. With these events lined up, the Chicago youth hopes to enrich our knowledge as we strengthen the bonds we have within our community.

Jain Organization of Youth, Detroit (JOY)

Jain Organization of Youth (JOY) was established over ten years ago to unite the youths of Detroit with the intent of enhancing awareness for our Jain religion as well as promoting social and community service activities. JOY events are based on these three pillars: religious, social, and community services.

Recently, JOY, along with the Gujarati Samaj Youth, held its yearly dance, our main social event. With fun music, a valentine theme, and a great turnout, this event was a major success. JOY and GSY donated $1 for every person towards tsunami relief. Thanks to everyone who came and made the event worthwhile. We also recently held a Spring Garba at the Jain Temple. This year the theme was Meghdanoosh, rainbow, with colorful decorations and exciting garba-raas.

Mahavir Jayanti is coming up, and JOY is planning for our religious event. On that day, youth will recite the Snatra Puja in front of our entire society. Children of all ages have been practicing pronouncing and singing the Puja, from three Navkars in the beginning to the Moti Shanti at the very end.

Lastly, JOY will help the community in honor of Jain Society of Detroit’s 30th anniversary in May. All are encouraged to attend!

Purdue University

Young Jains of Purdue are looking to start a Jain youth group at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  For more information contact Chirag Mehta at mehtac@purdue.edu

Milwaukee, Wisconsin