Zoroastrian Association of California December 2015

Zoroastrian Association of California
December 2015
2014-2015 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 – Merzi Limath
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ladies Club: Sunday, December 6
Back by popular demand, Houtoxi Contractor along with Ervad Zarrir Bhandara will present Part 2 of
Pranayama (breath control) and the practice of Yoga Asanas (postures). This will be an interactive
session for all ages and fitness levels. Please dress in comfortable clothing. The session will begin at
12:30 pm.
Potluck lunch will follow after the exercise at around 1:30 pm. Please bring a dish to share.
If you have any questions, please contact Sherri Treasurywala at 949 932 0780.
New Year Eve’s Dinner & Dance: Thursday, December 31
Last year we celebrated New Year's Eve at the 2014 NAZC at Hilton Hotel. This year come celebrate
the New Year's Eve at our Center with a lot of good food, great music for dancing the night away and
welcoming 2016 with lot of "masti and majah!!
DATE - Thursday December 31, 2015 – 8:00 pm onwards.
For more details please check out the attached flyer.
Let us all look forward to ushering in 2016 together!!
PAST EVENTS
Ladies Club
The Ladies Club met on October 4, 2015 at the ZAC Center. Houtoxi Contractor gave a presentation
on Pranayama, the science of breath control. There was a hand on demonstration on different
techniques and simple yoga poses which was much appreciated by all. A potluck lunch followed with
dhan dar patio to celebrate Mobed Zarrir Bhandara's birthday. A big thank you to Houtoxi for all her
efforts and we look forward to more Yoga lessons with her at future Ladies Club events. Thank you
Sherry for arranging the Ladies Club event.
Atash Kadeh Groundbreaking
Finally the big day arrived for the ground breaking ceremony for our Atash Kadeh!
On October 18, 2015 the members arrived on the grounds of the center which was decorated with a
beautiful toran on a huge canopy and set with all the prayer paraphernalia for the Jashan to be
performed for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Atash Kadeh. Chairs were strategically
placed under the shade of a huge tree for members to sit close by and enjoy the prayers recited by our
revered
Mobeds
Zarrir
Bhandara, Zerkxis Bhandara, Jehangir
Dastur
and Arda-e-Viraf
Minocherhomjee. Arrangements were made in the Center premises for the special invitees and seniors
who would prefer to sit inside the Hong Kong Room and view the ceremony with the comfort of
hearing it relayed on the speakers.
When the Jashan was over, all the mobeds together with the members of the ZAC executive committee
and past presidents - Noshir Jesung, Khushroo Lakdawalla, Darayus Mistry and Vira Santoke - who
were present for the ceremony, came toward the ground where the earth was dug out. Thereafter, to the
chanting of 21 yatha and 12 ashem vohu by all present, everyone showered the rose petals with the rice
into the ground. The sound of the mathravani that filled the air at that time was truly magical!! Lastly,
the pomegranate seeds and pieces were offered in and Darius Mistry then broke the coconut and
sprinkled the water in the ground. Mobed Arda-e-Viraf was then requested to come forward and put the
box inside the ground which was accompanied by cheers and clapping by all the members present. The
special invitees were then escorted out to put the first shovels of earth into the ground. Thereafter,
everyone present - young and old had a chance to pick up a shovel full of earth and place it into the
ground and fill it up completely.
Thank you all for gracing this wonderful occasion and a BIG thank you to everyone who made an extra
effort to get all the ravo sev, malido, mevo fruit etc to help us make this function a grand success! We
also want to thank everyone who helped us to set up the place for the function and did all the hard work
of setting the tables and chairs and the audio system and helped in the kitchen and the clean up
thereafter. Special thanks to Arnavaz Dungore and Sri Rasa of Woodlands Restaurant for making it
possible to have Parsi food for the occasion.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Halloween
Once again the young and the young at heart dressed up in their Halloween best to join in the fun and
frolic of the Halloween Party at the ZAC Center on October 31st. All the volunteers got together to help
out with the decorations to create an atmosphere for the event. About 75 adults and 30 children attended.
A painting competition was arranged for all the kids for different age groups. Face painting was done for
those who were interested. Many children and some parents too happily participated which lent color to
the atmosphere.
A special show was arranged for the entertainment of all where different reptiles and creepy- crawlers
were brought in to be petted and held around the necks of those who were brave and willing to get the
thrills. Amidst squeals of excitement the show was enjoyed by all.
As always, the young parents and friends got together under the leadership of our very own Xerxes
Commissariat to help out with the barbeque of delicious burgers, sausages, chicken and salads which
was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thereafter, the parade of all those who wished to participate was held.
The children happily strutted in their Halloween costumes on the stage and were enthusiastically
applauded by all. The day ended with the piñata full of candies being broken for all to enjoy together
with a dessert of ice cream!!
It was a happy day for all who attended and as always it would not have been possible without the hard
work and enthusiasm shown by all who helped out on that day! A BIG THANK YOU TO ONE AND
ALL!!
General Body Meeting
The General Body meeting was held on November 21, 2015. As there was no quorum due to less
attendance, the meeting was adjourned for one hour and then reconvened at 6:30 pm.
Tehmi Damania President, thanked all the mobeds and the Mobedyars for conducting the Jashan
ceremony prior to the meeting and also thanked the members who brought in the fruits, nuts, malido, sev
and ravo for the jashan.
She then reiterated the usual ground rules for the meeting and requested any non-members present to
refrain from participating in the meeting. She also informed the members that the proceedings were
being recorded.
The items on the agenda were then taken up.
 The minutes of the AGM for June 2015 which were sent out earlier to all members were approved.
 The Executive Report which was approved unanimously, Tehmi informed the members about all
the activities that were undertaken during the year which also included 11 Jashan and 4 Ghambars to
date. She also mentioned the successful ground breaking ceremony held recently for the Atash
Kadeh which is expected to be completed by March/April next year. She informed members that
starting next year some changes will be made and ZAC will be making more use of IT to help make
work easier for the smooth running of the Association. Members will be given significant privileges
and many events will be restricted to "members only" in future. This would include out of town
guests who regularly visit CA for a few months every year who should be encouraged to become
members. Most events will be pre-paid and exceptions will not be made in order to be fair to those
who follow the rules. Members who do not have internet or are not comfortable using it may be
helped by friends or volunteers. She then thanked all the volunteers who helped out with the various
events and in various areas - be it picnic or Sports Day or a new year function and mentioned each of
them by their names drawing a thunderous applause from the members. She also thanked the
Finance Committee Members for their help and guidance and the Maintenance Committee Members
for their help given any time of the week or weekend and selflessly helping out in every way they
can. She thanked Meher Irani and her helpers for cataloging the Library books of the Center which
needed much delayed attention. She announced the names of the recently formed Atash Kadeh
construction sub-committee for the information of all members. She finally thanked the members of
the Executive Committee for the great teamwork and understanding displayed by them. Last but not
the least she mentioned her husband Manek and who had that day single handedly arranged all the
chairs in the Hall for the meeting.
 The Treasurer's Report for 2014 was duly approved The Financial Statement as at October 31, 2015
was also read out by the Treasurer Rooky Fitter.
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Ruzbeh Daruwalla apprised the members of the current state of the ZAC Endowment Fund which as
per the current trend in the financial markets was holding well for the present. Some questions raised
by the members were replied promptly to their satisfaction
The proposal for the approval of the Independent Accountant for ZAC for the 2015 Financials Nauzer Commissariat was put up by the Treasurer and was unanimously approved.
Tehmi next put up the request to continue the spending limit for the next term which was also
approved by all.
The increase in the annual and life membership was then approved by all present except Gulshan
Bhada who was not in favor.
Sohrab Charna ZAC Architect was then invited on stage to give an update on the construction of the
Atash Kadeh. Sohrab informed members of the level to which the construction has progressed as
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well as discussed the individual expenses listed out on the screen for the members which would
require fund raising efforts by the members. All questions on the subject were satisfactorily
answered by him. Please read more detailed, special report on the ZAC Atash Kadeh Project.
Other Business: Mobed Zarrir Bhandara requested to speak for a few minutes to suggest that in view
of the yeomen contribution made by Tehemtan Arjani to the Community we could consider
conferring upon him a suitable "khetab" such as the "jewel of ZAC" or something similar.
Mobedyar Maneck Bhujwala then updated the members about his recent participation in the
Parliament of World Religions held in Salt Lake City in October.
Pervez Erani, the ZAC Secretary, who also has worked very hard on the ZAC database, then
informed members about the need to fill out the membership forms with full details like the dates of
birth of children/seniors etc. since that will help to update missing database records. He stressed the
importance of membership forms being completed by ALL MEMBERS.
Perinne Medora, Vice President then apprised the members about the four individuals selected by
the EC who have time and again gone above and beyond themselves to prove as selfless volunteers
for the Center. Namely: Firouz Felfeli, Hanoz Santoke, Noshir Irani and Xerxes Commissariat. They
were all invited on stage amidst great applause and presented with ZAC Certificates of Appreciation.
Phiroz Tarapore Election Officer then announced that since he had received 7 forms only, one for
each position those nominees would take the positions. The Committee for 2016-17: Shirley
Limathwalla as the new Youth Coordinator; Tehmi Damania, President; Rooky Fitter, Vice
President; Perinne Medora, Treasurer; Deelnavaz Tarapore, Joint Secretary; Parvez Erani, Joint
Secretary; Prochi Mistry, Program Chair. On taking their posts, Tehmi addressed the members and
explained to them the reason for the interchange in the posts of the VP and the Treasurer. She then
requested the members that since Perinne and Rooky have been handling their erstwhile positions
effectively over the past 4 years, and, in the interest of the smooth running of ZAC they may be
permitted to switch back to their earlier positions. This was unanimously agreed by the General
Body. The Committee stands as before with Perinne Medora as Vice President and Rooky Fitter as
Treasurer.
The meeting was adjourned with a 'BIG THANK YOU" to all present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations
Tiny hands, tiny feet....there is someone new to meet!
A boy, Farzan was born to Anahita and Ruzbeh Daruwalla on October 20, 2015.
Big brother Zubin and grandparents Mitra and Noshir Irani are overjoyed.
Congratulations
Hearty Congratulations to Shehnaz Maneck Bhujwala on receiving the Presidential Award of Merit in
recognition for her Leadership & Commitment to the Women’s Caucus. She also received the 2015
Women’s Caucus Chair Honor Award in recognition of her Formidable Leadership, Guidance, & Spirit
on November 5, 2015.
We are proud and happy for her achievement in this very competitive field and wish her every success in
the years ahead!
Ralphs Community Rewards Quarterly Statement
Thanks to 11 households who shopped at Ralphs last quarter and used their registered Rewards cards we
received a check for $75.96 from Ralphs. Thank you for your passive, yet conscious contribution to
ZAC.
Have you renewed your Ralphs Community Rewards membership this year? If you have not already
done so it's not too late.
You don't have to change your shopping habits but it will help ZAC if you shop at Ralphs anyway and if
you would just register your rewards card and make ZAC the beneficiary in the Community Rewards
Program. This only takes a few minutes and can be done online. If you need information visit the ZAC
website or call Tehmi (949-583-9973) for details about this program.
Change of Address
Roomy & Sanober Raghina
Katy and Gayomard Irani
Please see printed version of newsletter.
Condolences
JALOO BACHA, daughter of late Hirabai and late Framroze Fanibanda and wife of late Jal
Bacha passed away on September 20, 2015 at St Jude Hospital in Fullerton, California. She is
survived by her daughter Freny and son Mehernosh Bacha. She was the sister of Eruch, Minoo,
Nari, Homi, Soli, Dinshaw, Kersi Fanibanda and Katy Elavia.
May her soul rest in peace and may God grant solace and strength to the family to go through this
difficult period in their lives.
PERIN DARASHAH RANDERIA passed away on September 26, 2015 at Ahmadabad. She was
the mother of Gulestan Farrokh Deboo, Shahnaz Farhad Cama, Houtoxi Farhad Contractor, &
Noshirvan Randeria; grandmother of Anahita (Deboo) Pavri, Shanaya Deboo, Laila (Contractor)
Bodhanwala, Cyra (Contractor) Morena, Cyrus Cama, Shireen (Cama) Daruwala, Cyrus &
Jamsheed Randeria; great grandmother of Ariana, Darian, Iyana, Arshan, Ryaan, and Riaa. She
was the youngest daughter of Shireen & Edulji Kolah (pickle manufacturer).
May her soul rest in eternal peace and sincere condolences to the family.
Reminder to All Members:
Your membership form is attached. Please send it in early and remember to send in
the membership for your children who are over 18.
The attached membership form should be completed by ALL members including
LIFE members.
The Center needs your help for maintenance projects. Please send in a donation to
ZAC along with your membership fee.
The ZAC Atash Kadeh Project
Perhaps a little slower than expected, the Atash Kadeh project has picked up momentum since the
groundbreaking when we collected donations of over $32,000. You can now see the building taking shape
right next to the Hong Kong room. At the General Body Meeting, on Saturday, November 21st, members
were shown some pictures including a rendering of the interior. A wish list (see below) was also shown to
members present and the results were almost miraculous! Hosi Kapadia stood up and addressed the General
Body and encouraged them saying that enough talking had been done and it was now time to take some
action. He then said he would give $2001 on behalf of the Kapadia Family towards the Atash Kadeh and
requested other members to join him and make a pledge too. After that there was a frenzy of pledging by
everyone until very few items were left on our wish list. The wish list will be updated periodically along
with the progress of the building and items needed. We are proud of our community who, in one
evening, raised $87,112 in pledges.
We had over 9000 sq. ft. of space in our building and not one room to place our fire in so that when we
came to the Center we could go and pray and offer sandalwood. We have been waiting for this for years
and finally that dream is becoming a reality. Are you a part of this? Just as we did when we acquired our
Center we would like to have a 100% participation from our community particularly for the Atash Kadeh.
Consider this as the one missing ingredients – a place to WORSHIP. A whole 1940 sq. ft. building
dedicated to Ahura Mazda and the Zarathosti religion right here in Southern California.
Be a part of this project. It does not matter how little or how much. Take a tax deduction this year by
sending in a check to ZAC. All further cash donations will be mentioned in the next newsletter. Consider
this is an opportunity to honor your loved ones for posterity by having their name on a suitable plaque in the
Atash Kadeh.
See attached list of donors in each category and do let us know if we have made an error or omitted a name.
Donations of above $1000 will be placed on plaques in the appropriate the category and below $1000 will
be in digital format.
Atash Kadeh Project – Wish List
Front Door
Side lights
Four Exit doors
Wood paneling
Windows*
Landscape pavers*
24 in. Box tree*
Parking lot LED lights* 6 each
Benches
Water fountain
2 Air condition units 2 x $3500
Type F, Pendant Mount lights
Marble*
$ 12,000.00
$ 2,000.00
$ 4,500.00
$ 8,000.00
$ 17,500.00
$ 35,000.00
$ 20,000.00
$ 2,800.00 ea
$ 15,000.00
$ 2,500.00
$ 7,000.00
$ 1,250.00 ea
$ 45,000.00
(*) These items will be purchased by donations from multiple members and/or “Open”
donations.
Out of the total pledged, an amount of $37,500 was donated by 13 members as “open”
donation.
Donor Names in Categories
$1 to $1000*
Alamshaw Rusi & Chandrabala
Amaria Perin
Amroli Pervin
Bamboat Parvin
Bhandara Zarrir & Tinaaz
Bhandara Zerkxis
Billimoria Armine
Bisney- Shah Feeruza
Colabavala Jimmy & Meher
D.T.Parekh
Dalal Phiroze & Dhunmai
Deboo Behram & Manijeh
Eduljee Katy
Fanibanda Roshan & Nariman
Hadulla Roshen
Irani Dinshaw
Irani Moti & Ian
Jesung Noshir & Gul
Kar Ava & Ashok
Karanjia Zarin & Neriosang
Karwa Hoshang & Firuza
Limath Kali & Benaifer
Madon Dr. Sharook & Sheila
Malva Dolly
Mehta Hector & Daisy
Mehta Silloo
Patel Rohini A.
Rostami Parvin
Sinors
Tavaria Nawzer & Meher
Vevaina Sohrab & Tinaz
Wheeler Prochee & Vernon
Anonymous
Anonymous
IMO Kuka & Keki Billimoria
IMO Burjor Alamshaw &
Rohinton Bamboat
IMO Fali Kanga
IMO Najoo Daruwala & Aran Aga
$1001 to $2500
Alamshaw Dhun
Arjani Jim & Kristen
Bacha Freny
Bhujwala Manek
Bisney- Shah Feeruza
Choksy Persis & Mehernosh
Commissariat Aban & Parvez
Contractor Dr. Farhad & Houtoxi
Dadachanji Kavasji & Chisti
Dastur Soli
Gandhi Adi & Freny
Gandhi Hanoz & Shazneen
Irani Mehernaz
Irani Dinshaw
Irani Sohrab & Banoo Jangi
Jijina Aloo & Minoo
Kakalia Zarin (Karachi)
Khambatta Hoshang & Katy
Lakdawalla Noshir & Rhoda
May Dhun
Medora Perinne
Merchant Rohinton & Sherie
Mistry Roda & Aspy
NAMC
Tarapore Perviz & Phiroz
IMO Mahrukh Bhujwala
IMO Hosi Amroli
IMO Late Rohinton Bamboat
IMO Naval B. Sidhwa
$2,501 to 10,000
Arjani Tehemtan & Dogdo
Birdy Soonu & Jal
Dinshaw Perin Julian (Karachi)
Gandhi Adi & Freny
Kapadia Aban & Hosi
Mehta Kaezad & Ruzbe
Panthaky Rohinton & Najoo
$10,001 to 25,000
Pithawalla Mehernosh & Yasmin
Rudina Family of Minnesota
Santoke Burjor & Vira
IMO Dinshaw & Shirin Irani
IMO Khurshid Soli Pithawalla
IMO Homai N.Irani
The Fitters
$25,001 to $50,000
Baxter Behram & Rena
Eleven Twenty Seven Foundation
Sethna, Hilda & Rumi (WZO)
Vadoli Nosh & Behroz
Anonymous
$50,001 to $100,000
$100,001 to $250,000
The Incorporated Zoroastrian Charity of
Hongkong, Canton and Macao
Minocherhomjee Arda-E-Viraf & Hootoxi
*This category names will be kept in a digital display format.
IMO = In Memory of
The above list does NOT include the pledges or checks received at the GBM on Saturday, November 21, 2015.
Zoroastrian Association of California
Membership Form
January to December, 2016
Quantity
(
( (
( ) (
( (
(
) Life
) Family H
) Individual
) Senior
) Student
Please Select Type Membership(s):
Husband/wife & children under 18 (DOB Req’d)
Husband/wife & children under 18 (DOB Req’d)
Adult (over 18)
Over 65 Years of Age
Full time Student
$3000 **
$125
$60
$40
$40
** Effective immediately
All members MUST complete this form
TITLE ______ FIRST _______________________________________
LAST ___________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________ CITY__________________________
PHONE (_____) ______-_________
NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL ______
DOB _____/______/____
EMAIL __________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP TYPE: ___ life
TITLE ______ FIRST _______________________________________
STATE____ ZIP____________
___ family
___ individual
DOB _____/______/____
TITLE ______ FIRST _______________________________________
NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL ______
DOB _____/______/____
LAST ___________________________________________
___ family
___ individual
NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL ______
DOB _____/______/____
___ senior
____ Student
LAST ___________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________ CITY__________________________
PHONE (_____) ______-_________
STATE____ ZIP____________
EMAIL __________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP TYPE: ___ life
TITLE ______ FIRST _______________________________________
STATE____ ZIP__________
EMAIL __________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________ CITY__________________________
PHONE (_____) ______-_________
____ Student
LAST ___________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________ CITY__________________________
PHONE (_____) ______-_________
___ senior
STATE____ ZIP____________
EMAIL __________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP TYPE: ___ life
___ family
___ individual
___ senior
____ Student
DONATIONS are IMPORTANT
Maintenance ______ Atash Kadeh ______ General ______ Youth ______ Education ______
Are you a Life Member who is NOT contributing 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 92867
or complete this form online and pay with credit card at www.zacla.org
1424 E. Walnut Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
To
ZAC Upcoming Events at a Glance
All functions at the ZAC Center in Orange unless marked*
Ladies Club: Sunday, December 6
New Year Eve's Dinner & Dance: Thursday, December 31
*************************
With Best Wishes for
A Merry Christmas
and
A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year