Letter from the Board

Since its inception 30 years ago in 1991, YJA has provided opportunities for young Jains across North America to come together and grow closer as a family. From Regional Retreats and flagship Conventions to community platforms like YJA Reflect and our Swadhyay Group, YJA has consistently emphasized bringing our community together to learn, grow, and further a Jain way of life. As we celebrate YJA’s 30th Anniversary, we have a lot to be excited about. In the past 30 years, YJA has hosted 14 Conventions, launched over 60 unique projects and campaigns, and served 10,000+ youth. With the full force of our community behind us, we navigated the challenges of a virtual world head-on, taking it as an opportunity to innovate in ways we never had before. This challenge opened new opportunities for us, allowing us to reflect on YJA’s trajectory thus far and critically plan for the organization’s long-term future. It also allowed us to ◼ create a brand new YJA website and mobile application, offering our community user-friendly ways to stay connected to their #yjafamily, ◼ double down on our commitment to furthering Jain principles by launching the YJA Swadhyay Group and expanding our YJA Pathshala platform, and ◼ give back to our community in times of need, through our COVID-19 fundraiser for India and Season of Seva initiative. What excites us most about celebrating this anniversary is not what we have accomplished in these past 30 years, but where we’ll be heading as an organization in the future. From our upcoming in-person regional events to the 2022 Convention in Dallas, TX, we’re excited for the ability to engage with our YJA community in person yet again. This past year has given us the opportunity to innovate, push the boundaries of virtual platforms, and engage more Jain youth than we ever have before; our success has shown us how promising a hybrid future for YJA can be. We’re lucky to say that this organization has given all of us a second family. As we celebrate YJA’s 30th Anniversary this year, we hope that each of you are able to look back on all of those nostalgic memories and say the same. Michhami Dukkadam, and thank you for your constant support! With #yjalove, 2020-2021 Executive Board

Harshita Jain, Mishi Jain, Sara Jain, Krish Kamdar, Umang Lathia, Romit Nagda, Riya Patel, Pranay Patni, Somil Sanghvi, Chirayu Shah, Paakhee Shah, Satej Shah, Shail Shah, Shilpi Shah, Vishwa Shah, & Ruchi Vora

Jain principles have been challenged and defended over the centuries through a unique logical system backed by Anekantvad. We walk through how conditionality and multiple viewpoints fit together to form this robust system of argumentation, and how it can help us today. pg 16

THIS

ISSUE

YJA has served as a starting point for so many relationships: best friends, co-captains, and even lifelong partners. Some of them shared their heartwarming and comical stories with us. pg 12

EDUCATION

Not All Infinities Are Made Equal | 6 The Significance of Syat | 16 Jainism, A Timeline | 22 Jainism & The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | 27 Storytime | 34

COMMUNITY

How an Idea Turned into 90,000+ Hot Meals Served | 8 How I Met My ... | 12 Humans of YJA & Crossword | 18 30 Years in Photos | 20 Young Mind, Large Community | 32 Then & Now: Sangh Youth | 36

PERSPECTIVES

A Path of Commitment | 24 Should Jains Make Conversion Efforts? | 30

ORG/LEADERSHIP

Letter from the Board | 3 From the Desk of a Former Co-Chair | 14 Latest & Greatest from YJA | 38

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief | Vishwa Shah Staff Writers | Ashna Bhansali, Akash Jain, Harshita Jain, Shruti Jain, Vidhi Piparia, Juhi Shah, Nishi Shah, Purva Shah, Rahi Shah, Satej Shah, Jainik Shroff Editors | Vatsal Gandhi, Suryaraj Jain, Janvee Patel, Bhuvni Shah, Miten Shah, Sakhi Shah Advisors | Mishi Jain, Pranay Patni

editor the from note a

Here we are, in 2021, celebrating 30 years of YJA. We’ve reached an inflection point: YJA has finally aged out of YJA, it is no longer 14-29 years old. Last issue, we talked about gusto. The gusto that propels our community forward, that allows us to bounce back from the effects of the ongoing pandemic, that gives us happiness. The enthusiasm that needs no subject. This organization has only come so far because of the gusto of its leaders and supporters — thank you. This issue is a commemoration of that gusto and all that this community has accomplished together. You’ll find pieces that highlight all of YJA’s facets; this organization has been an educational vehicle, a social network, a professional resource, and an exchange for ideas, playing different roles at different times. Wherever you are reading this from, on a table at the Derasar or online, I hope you’re able to enjoy the ideas and stories featured in this issue with others. (And maybe inspire someone else to get involved with YJA in the future!) If you read something that sparks a question in your head, post it on YJA Reflect. If it provokes a response, email publications@yja.org and write something for Young Minds. And if you’re looking for more, check out the latest on youngminds.yja.org. Here’s to the next 30 years. With #yjalove,

Vishwa Shah Director of Publications, 2020-2021