History of the
Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York
|
| |
Quicklinks |
|
|
History of ZAGNY |
The 1920’s Era (Pre-ZAGNY)
The first Zoroastrian Association in the New York area was formed
on November 10, 1929 with seven persons present, among them the organizer
Mr. Phiroze Saklatwala and Mr. Rustomji Wadia (who lived
long enough to also be a member of ZAGNY for 15 years). This association
folded after the death of Mr. Saklatwala who was not only the founder
but also the main financier. Mr. Saklatwala’s death coincided with
the arrival of the great depression, which wiped out other affluent
Zoroastrians of New York and so also the original association.
Back to Top
|
The 1960’s Era
The Zoroastrians of New York continued to meet on Jamshedi and Shahanshahi
Navruz at private parties or at Mr. Rustomji Wadia’s Indian restaurant.
In 1965, Erach Munshi, Lovji Cama, Dadi and Katy
Dhabhar, Homi Dalal and others started organizing formal
Jamshedi Navruz and Shanshahi Navruz dinners, to which every Zoroastrian
whose address or phone number was available to Mr. Munshi, was invited.
Volunteers cooked the food and a minimum charge was collected to cover
the expenses of the food and rental of the hall. The first such dinner
at a rented hall at the International House in New York attracted
60 Zoroastrians and the numbers steadily grew over the years to over
one hundred.Back to
Top
|
The 1970's Era
In 1973 a need was felt to formally organize ourselves into an association
and about 20 individuals among them Erach Munshi, Lovji
Cama, Farrokh Patel, Mehru Jahina (Cama), Khushru
Hakim, Lovji Hakim, Khushroo Patel, Edul Daver,
Jehan Daruwala, Tehmas Dotiwala, Jal Guzdar,
Pilloo Irani, Dara Sutaria and Rusi Sanjana came to an ad hoc meeting
at the home of Naval and Pervize Sidhwa on Staten Island and
selected a slate of nine individuals to form a committee. The mandate
of the committee was to write the Constitution and By-laws of the
new Association, and to run the first formal election on the following
Jamshedi Navruz (and to continue to hold the two annual dinners).
ZAGNY was fortunate to have the pro bono legal service provided by
Stewart Lyle, Esq. in formative years of ZAGNY existence.
The first Board of Directors of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater
New York (ZAGNY) elected in 1973 had Mr. Erach Munshi, President,
the late Mr. Naval Sidhwa vice-president, Mr. Framroze
K. Patel,
Treasurer, Dr. Lovji Cama, Secretary, Mr. Khushroo Patel,
Joint Secretary, Mr. Rohinton Cama, Mr. Jehan Daruwala,
Mrs. Nancy Daruwala and Mr. Rusi Sanjana, Members at
Large. Since then, the successive Boards under the Presidentship of
Mr. Erach Munshi (two terms), Dr. Lovji Cama, Mr. Framroze K. Patel,
late Mr. Faroke Gandhi, late Mrs. Ivy Gandhi, Mr. Erach
Munshi (two terms), Mr. Astad Clubwala (two terms), Professor
Kaikhosrov Irani, Mr. Gev Nentin (two terms) and Mr.
Homi Gandhi (two terms) have served the Association. The initial
two-year terms for the Boards were changed to three year terms in
1996.
In 1975 Dr. Rustom Sarfeh attended the Shanshahi Nowruz dinner,
which was held at the United Nations School, and was impressed by
the number of Zoroastrians both Parsi and Iranian who attended and
was concerned about the lack of their own meeting place. On a visit
to Iran a couple of months later Dr. Sarfeh met Arbab Rustom
and Khanum Morvarid Guiv and talked with them about the struggling
Zoroastrian community in the New York area. Arbab Guiv showed his
desire to help us build a community center and committed $100,000
for the project.
Dr. Rustom Sarfeh brought back the good news and the search for a
suitable building in the tri-state area was on. Many weekends and
evenings were spent by the Board and interested members hunting and
looking at different properties all over the area. Arbab and Morvarid
Guiv visited New York the following summer and were shown three properties
that had been selected by some members of the community. He liked
a simple church in New Jersey (Mr. Farokh Patel had been instrumental
in finding it) and an offer was made, but the deal never went through.
The search was resumed and eventually the property at 246 Weyman Avenue,
New Rochelle was purchased in May 1977 and Arbab Guiv offered to renovate
it so that it would be suitable as a community center and place of
worship. Ervad Noshir Hormuzdiar played an important role in
this initial renovation.
Back to Top
|
The 1980's to the Present
After 1980 there was a large influx of Iranian Zoroastrians, who emigrated
from Iran and settled in the tri-state region and became members of
ZAGNY. The differences in language, customs and even festivals between
the Iranian and Parsi community lead to some dissension even though
two Iranian Zoroastrians were co-opted onto the ZAGNY board during
two terms. The Iranian Zoroastrians felt that their own association
would better serve their needs and the Iranian Zoroastrian Association
(IZA) was formed in 1986. IZA shared the use of the Darbe Mehr with
ZAGNY, though initially, the management of the Darbe Mehr remained
with ZAGNY.
Some time after the passing away of Arbab Rustom Guiv, the Guiv Foundation
discovered that the New York Darbe Mehr, by the nature of its incorporation
was owned by the community, and demanded that ownership of the Darbe
Mehr be transferred to the Foundation. They filed a quitclaim suit
against the Trustees of the Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple with ZAGNY
as codefendant. Since the Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple (DMZT) had
no funds other than the property itself, ZAGNY became the main defendant.
After 5 years of litigation and appeal to the Supreme Court of New
York State, the court's verdict was in favor of DMZT as the legal
owner of the Darbe Mehr property.
Back to Top
|
New Zoroastrian Temple and Cultural Center
(NZTCC)
During this time of uncertainty, when the future home of ZAGNY was
in jeopardy, a committee was formed to collect funds for a New Zoroastrian
Temple and Cultural Center (NZTCC). This committee of about 10 individuals
under the leadership of Mr. Erach Munshi, Dr. Farokh Tarapore
and Mr. Farrokh Deboo was able to collect nearly $300,000 and
pledges for another $150,000 but was not able to meet the goal of
nearly $1,000,000 which would have been necessary for completion of
the project, within the three year time limit which the committee
had set for itself.
At the same time, the final decision of the courts regarding the legal
case was handed out and with the ownership of the Darbe Mehr secure,
enthusiasm in terms of additional donations for a new Darbe Mehr decreased
considerably. The funds collected were returned to those who wanted
them back, though many donors left their donations with ZAGNY, to
be used for different purposes. The interest collected in the NZTCC
account could not be legally returned to the donors. The money left
with ZAGNY was sufficient for a complete renovation of the Darbe Mehr,
which was completed by the ZAGNY Board under the able leadership of
Mr. Astad Clubwala on Jamshedi Navruz, 1994.
Back to Top
|
Cost & contribution of joint-ownership by
IZA & ZAGNY
With the ownership of the Darbe Mehr firmly established, the Darbe
Mehr Trustees decided to correct the situation of election of trustees
and to provide a proper role for both ZAGNY and IZA in the management
of the Darbe Mehr. At a meeting of the Trustees and the Boards of
ZAGNY and IZA a formula was worked out, by which representation on
the Board of Trustees and the cost of running the Darbe Mehr would
be divided between ZAGNY and IZA in proportion to their dues paying
membership. The proportion worked out to be 5:1 ZAGNY:IZA, and was
to be reviewed and changed if necessary every three years, with a
minimum representation of one trustee from the smaller association.
The election of trustees was by open election from the congregation
as required by Religious Corporations Law.
This arrangement has worked out exceedingly well for both communities
and there is now no source of friction between the Parsi and Iranian
communities. The Board of Trustees of the Darbe Mehr now plays an
active role in the management of the Darbe Mehr, while the boards
of ZAGNY and IZA arrange functions at the Darbe Mehr. In 1998 on the
occasion of the 25th anniversary of the ZAGNY, a joint ZAGNY/IZA dinner
dance was organized on Jamshedji Navruz with about 400 individuals
in attendance in a rented hall. Due to space limitations, for a few
years ZAGNY had to hold the Navruz and Pateti functions in a rented
hall. Back to Top |
| The
Darbe Mehr |
The First Darbe Mehr
The Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple was formed
as a religious corporation under Section 10 of the Religious Corporations
Act of New York State to own the property in New Rochelle, with
Arbab Guiv, Dr. Rostam Sarfeh, Mr. Erach Munshi,
Dr. Lovji Cama, Mr. Framroze K. Patel and Ervad Pervez
Patel as the first Trustees.
The Darbe Mehr was inaugurated in December 1977, in the presence of
Arbab and Morvarid Guiv, Dr. and Mrs. Sarfeh and a majority of the
active members of the community. A Jashan ceremony performed by all
the priests from the New York and Philadelphia area began the ceremonies,
which were followed by speeches by Arbab Guiv, Dr. Sarfeh, Mr. Erach
Munshi and others. The Guest of Honor was Mr. Nani Palkhiwalla,
Indian Ambassador to the USA and Professor Stanley Insler of
Yale University was the keynote speaker. Thus the first Arbab Rustom
Guiv Darbe Mehr in North America was established. |
|
The Darbe Mehr was managed on a day-to-day basis
by ZAGNY, while there was a supervisory Board of Trustees of the Darbe
Mehr Zoroastrian Temple, DMZT, (the official owning Trust). Three
trustees were appointed by Arbab Guiv and after his death by the Arbab
Guiv Trust in California. The remaining three trustees were appointed
by ZAGNY. This arrangement was in contradiction to the Religious Corporations
Law under which the DMZT was constituted.
The Darbe Mehr became the home of ZAGNY and the first Zoroastrian
Community Center in North America. It was the first place in North
America where Zoroastrians could gather to worship, to reinforce their
identity, to meet regularly for religious classes, perform Navjotes
and Weddings and celebrate the festivals of Nowruz and Papeti.
Back to Top
|
Search for a New Darbe Mehr
Towards the end of the 20th Century, DMZT trustees were facing many
different problems associated with the building at New Rochelle that
is more than 100 years old. As much as the community loved the old
DMZT building and its history with our community, the realization
came that the building is too old, too small and requires too much
attention and expense for the limited purpose it serves. To many of
us this realization hit home, when the fire department in New Rochelle
insisted on the 99-person occupancy limit. This meant that 80% of
the community which used to show up at the Darbe Mehr only twice a
year at the two big functions of Navruz and Pateti would never have
reason to step into the Darbe Mehr. That would mean that the majority
of the community would lose their connection with the Darbe Mehr and
perhaps a reason to support it. Thus obtaining a new Darbe Mehr property
or expanding the existing Darbe Mehr became an important objective.
In March 1999, the Boards of Directors of the DMZT, IZA and ZAGNY
agreed to jointly work together to evaluate all alternatives including
the purchase of a new facility to serve as a religious and cultural
center for our expanding Zoroastrian community. A New Temple Project
committee was formed and delegated to evaluate the needs of the community,
select new sites and raise funds. The New Temple Project committee
was very busy for several months in performing their assigned tasks.
After proper consideration of all the options and the costs involved
in the options, it became obvious that the community would be better
off with a new building rather than trying to renovate and expand
the New Rochelle property. A second option was to find a larger existing
building suitable for the community needs.
A few ground rules were formulated among the DMZT, ZAGNY, and IZA
boards. They included the present DMZT would not be sold until a new
one was bought, so that the community would not be without a place
of worship and congregation, Arbab Rustom Guiv’s name would be transferred
to the new DMZT, in recognition of his seminal contribution to this
community, and at the new DMZT, the current relationship between ZAGNY,
IZA and DMZT would not change. That is, DMZT would own the property
and ZAGNY and IZA would use it and continue to finance its cost and
upkeep. The trustees of the DMZT would continue to be elected as they
are now. In the unlikely event that a new organization had to be created
to own the new property, it would operate in a similar fashion to
the DMZT.Back to Top
|
Z-LAND LLC, donates seed money for a new Darbe
Mehr
A group of Zarathushti families from our community decided to be proactive
by providing seed money to buy a suitable property. The partnership
called Z-Land, LLC was formed and funded in the last quarter of 1999.
Fourteen families contributed 10 to 20 thousand dollars each to make
a total contribution of $220,000. They included Homi & Ellen Byramji,
Lovji & Mehru Cama, Edul and Niloufer Daver, Homi
and Villy Gandhi, Toos & Hira Daruvala, Darius and Linda Jamshidian,
Kaikhosrov and Piroja Irani, Maneck and Jasmin Kotwal,
Noshir and Dinaz Langrana, Gev and Aban Nentin, Dinshaw
and Shernaz Patel, Shiroy and Jeroo Ranji, Dara and Freny
Sagar and Zubeen and Anahaita Shroff.
The intention of the Z-Land members was that Z-land would assume all
the initial risks and not use the community’s funds. The assets of
ZAGNY, IZA and DMZT would not be used until Z-Land had purchased a
suitable property and donated it to the community. Finally, Z-land,
LLC would dissolve itself after its donor role was completed.
A diligent search for suitable property was spearheaded by Rusi
Gandhi and Minu Dutia who after looking at about 10 different
properties identified a three and half acre of land in the vicinity
of Pomona, NY. After considerable negotiations a contract was signed
to purchase the property, but the land turned out to be two-third
wetland and Z-Land withdrew from that contract.
Back to Top
|
The New Darbe Mehr - Pomona, NY
In September 2000, the Pomona property was brought to the attention
of Z-Land by Minu and Behroz Dutia and the New Temple committee
members felt that it was reasonable and merited further consideration.
While this property was not thought to be ideal, it had great potential
and would be of immediate use to the community, as it is zoned for
religious purposes. When IZA/ZAGNY board members and the DMZT trustees
saw this new property they agreed that while the property had several
pros and cons it was a reasonable decision to purchase the property.
The Z-Land members again pooled their resources and pledged even more
money from their pockets. The down payment of $60,000 for signing
the contract on this property was made by the Z-land sourced funds.
It was understood by the Z-Land donors that if the contract did not
go through for whatever reasons, Z-land would bear the loss of its
funds and not the community.
When the decision was made to purchase the Pomona property, it was
followed by a tremendous effort by a handful of community members
to collect almost $1,000,000 in 3 months. The majority of the community
responded wholeheartedly and dug deep into their pockets and supported
the project with their donations and financial pledges.
The DMZT trustees called a special meeting, on December 10, 2000 at
the Pomona Property. Each member of the community was asked to vote
on each of the following three Resolutions:
Resolution 1: That the DMZT Trustees be and they hereby
are given the authority to sell the existing temple facility at 249
Weyman Avenue, New Rochelle, New York for consideration of not less
than $350,000, less brokerage commissions and expenses, and on such
other terms as the Trustees may consider appropriate and that they
take such other actions necessary to secure a purchaser and effect
such a sale.
Resolution 2: That the proceeds of any sale of the facility
at 249 Weyman Avenue be used exclusively to renovate, maintain, operate,
improve, pay any debt or other expenses, or otherwise contribute to
the new DMZT facility.
Resolution 3: That the DMZT Trustees be and they hereby
are given the authority to purchase, and to take such other actions
necessary to effect such purchase, including incurring debt using
the current DMZT asset as collateral, the real property located at
106 Pomona Road, Pomona, New York for a purchase price of $1.2 million
plus closing costs.
- The RESOLUTION #1 passed with 155-yes, 27-no and 0-abstain.
- The RESOLUTION #2 passed with 151-yes, 31-no and 0-abstain.
- The RESOLUTION #3 passed with 149-yes, 31-no and 2-abstain.
All three resolutions passed with more than the two-third required
vote.
On that day, the following presentations were made:
- DMZT chair Lovji Hakim / Welcome, outline agenda
- Ballot Committee Noshir Baria / Balloting process remarks
- New Temple initiative Gev Nentin / Opening remarks
- New Temple initiative Zubeen Shroff / Overview
- The Pomona property Shiroy Ranji / Due diligence reports
- New Temple Initiative Toos Daruvala / Fund raising
committee
- Legal Committee Anahaita Kotval, Martin Cornell
/ Legal matters
- ZAGNY Homi Byramji / Board of Directors support
- IZA Shirin Kiamanesh / Board of Directors support
- Zland Lovji Cama / Donors perspective
- Youth Spenta Cama / Youth members perspective
- DMZT Trustees Noshir Langrana / Solicitation for support
December 10, 2000 became a historical event for the DMZT / IZA / ZAGNY
organizations, when the tri-state area community showed great interest
and desire to move ahead with plans for the purchase of a new property
at 106 and 104 Pomona Road, Pomona, New York 10970, Village of Pomona
Tax Assessment Lot as Section 04-59A and 59B, Zone R-40 for our future
generation. One hundred and eighty two (182) voting age Zoroastrians
attended this event and gave an overwhelming support for this purchase.
Several people were actively involved with fund raising and coordination
with the sellers to complete the purchase. Numerous difficulties arose
along the way with the seller’s application with the Attorney General’s
office and with another interested party wanting to purchase the property.
While some of these delays were merely bureaucratic delays, there
was a period of time when it was not at all clear that the purchase
would be successfully completed. These obstacles were overcome and
the closing for the purchase was completed on March 16, 2001. On behalf
of the community, Lovji Hakim, Chairman of the DMZT Trustees,
signed for the purchase of the property in the presence of Anahaita
Kotval and Gev Nentin.
The property of almost 4 acres consisting of the main building and
a separate smaller building at 106 Pomona Road and an adjacent property
at 104 Pomona Road was purchased for $1,214,980 including closing
costs, thanks to the tireless efforts of many individuals especially
Zubeen Shroff, Anahita Kotval, Shiroy Ranji and
Toos Daruwala and the generosity of our largest donors Homi
and Ellen Byramji, Hira and Toos Daruvala, Zubeen Shroff
and Anahaita Kotval, Satish and Phiroza Modi, Gev
and Aban Nentin, Faridoon & Mehraban Zartoshty and the
Incorporated Trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong,
Canton and Macao. |
Back to Top
|
The nostalgic Sale of the Old Darbe Mehr ,
New Rochelle, NY
With the community’s purchase of the Pomona property completed,
the DMZT Trustees then commenced the sale effort of the New Rochelle
Darbe Mehr. With expert and relentless effort by Lovji Hakim
as chairman of DMZT, the sale of the New Rochelle Darbe Mehr was negotiated
for a selling price of $610,000, significantly more than the $350,000
passed in the original Resolution voted by the community. The New
Rochelle Darbe Mehr was sold to the New Rochelle congregation of Jehovah's
Witnesses.
DMZT Trustees had to overcome a major hurdle to the sale, with the
Mt. Tom Day School, Inc. who initially demanded a release from DMZT
for the “right of first refusal” in any negotiations to the sale of
the DMZT property. After months of difficult negotiations, DMZT trustees
settled with a counter offer of $10,000 to Mt. Tom Day School and
signed a “Mutual Release” as successor in the interest of Pehle Co.
(an original party at the time the DMZT property was first purchased).
Without this settlement with the Mt. Day School the DMZT property
could never be sold.
The other main hurdle was to obtain the Approval from the New York
State Attorney General’s office to sell the DMZT property, a religious
corporation of the State of New York under Article 10 of the New York
Religious Corporations Law. Attorney General’s approval was received
only after many months of special meetings called by DMZT Trustees
for the congregation to vote upon the sale.
At a duly called meeting of the members of the DMZT Temple on December
16, 2001 and by posting on bulletin board from December 2, 2001 to
December 16, 2001 the following Resolutions were offered and duly
seconded and adopted by a unanimous vote of the Trustees present at
the meeting and a Quorum of the membership present or voting, with
362 members voting for and 2 members against to wit:
Whereas, Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple, wishes to sell part of
its property to wit: 249 Weyman Avenue, New Rochelle, NY to the New
Rochelle Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness and to utilize the net
proceeds there from for the religious purposes of the Congregation;
and
Whereas, Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple, has determined it is in the
best interest to sell its property to wit: 249 Weyman Avenue, New
Rochelle, NY and to use the funds derived from the sale of said land
to renovate, maintain, operate, improve, construct New building, pay
any debt or other expenses or otherwise contribute to the New Temple
property located at 106 Pomona Road, Suffern, NY; and
Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Congregation deems it advisable
to accept the $610,000 which it believes in good faith to be fair
market value.
Lovji Hakim signed the Residential Contract of Sale on July
12, 2001 on behalf of DMZT trustees. The Closing of the property took
place on July 12, 2002. The net sale amount was $569,164.00 ($610,000
less closing costs of $41,315). DMZT had originally acquired the property
on May 4, 1977. The net proceeds were utilized as per the resolution
and contributed towards the New Darbe Mehr property. It is worth mentioning
that negotiating skills of Lovji Hakim was primarily responsible for
extracting significantly higher sales prices than previously anticipated.
The DMZT Trustees all together worked diligently on this project and
relied on the expert legal counsel and advice from DMZT Attorney
Mr. Troy C. Blomberg and Ms. Anahaita Kotval with the
assistance from several other individuals on this sale. The Trustees
also endured the difficult task of cleaning the property prior to
the sale and thanks many individual volunteers for their dedication
and hard work.Back to
Top
|
The Prayer Room
As was the case in the New Rochelle Darbe Mehr, a room was set aside
in the Pomona Darbe Mehr and renovated by a group of volunteers to
form a Prayer Room where members of the community and Priests congregate
to pray. This Prayer Room serves its religious purpose in the absence
of a local Agyari.
Back to Top
|
Darbe Mehr Renovations
Many renovations have been done to the Pomona property, among them
are establishment of a prayer room, the painting of the interior,
improved and more contemporary lighting, installation of a shower,
roof repair etc. Proposed improvements are a new kitchen, new air-conditioning
system and repair and painting of the exterior of the building. Some
of these improvements are a donation by a very generous IZA member
Mr. Parviz Najmi.
Back to Top |
|
Activities |
The 3rd North American Zoroastrian Conference
was held in October of 1979, with the first day's session at the Darbe
Mehr and the second day at the Carnegie Center in New York city.
Professor Kaikhosrov Irani arranged the academic program on
the second day.
Because of Professor Irani's connections into the academic world,
ZAGNY has over the years been able to organize excellent seminars
on various aspects of Zoroastrianism and religious thought. On average,
at least one such conference or seminar has taken place each year.
ZAGNY also sponsored or co-sponsored the first two International Gatha
conferences in Great Britain and Los Angeles and the Yasht conference
last year. The taped proceedings or manuscripts of many of these conferences
and seminars are in the archives of ZAGNY.
In 1998 ZAGNY hosted and organized the very successful 11th North
American Zoroastrian Congress under the co-chairs Mr. Gev Nentin
and Dr. Noshir Langrana and co-chairs of the logistic committee
Mrs. Armaity Patel and Mrs. Mehru Cama. Mrs. Mahrukh
Cama chairperson of the entertainment committee organized a very
enjoyable, entertaining night. |
Back to Top
|
The 3000th Anniversary of the Zoroastrian
Culture and Persian Parade
On November 15, 2003 ZAGNY and IZA celebrated The UNESCO-associated
3000th Anniversary of Zoroastrian Culture, featuring presentations
by Professor Kaikhosrov D. Irani, CUNY professor emeritus of
philosophy and Dr. Farhang Mehr, Boston University professor
emeritus of international relations, and former deputy prime minister
of Iran on “History, Beliefs and the Influence of Zoroastrianism on
Other Cultures”. Also featured were book displays, a multi-media presentation,
Zoroastrian invocation prayers by priests and a pageant of Zoroastrian
attire, past and present.
In 2004 and 2005 ZAGNY and IZA have participated in the Navruz Persian
Day Parade in New York City. Also in 2004, ZAGNY honored Prof. Kaikhosrov
Irani at a special dinner, for his contributions to the understanding
of Zoroastrian religion and culture and to the field of Philosophy.
Besides the Zoroastrian community, guests included former students
and colleagues of Professor Irani.
Back to Top
|
Contribution to FEZANA
ZAGNY contributes to FEZANA both in terms of finances and time of
some of its members. Mr. Framroze K. Patel served as the treasurer,
vice-president and later president of FEZANA. Mr. Rustom Kevala
was co-editor of the FEZANA Journal; Dr. Noshir Langrana
was involved with organizing the North American Zoroastrian Directory
and Census, Dr. Lovji Cama was the chairperson of the religious
education committee for four years, Dr. Yasmin Ghadiali was
the chairperson of the fund raising committee of the seventh world
Zoroastrian Congress, and Sarosh Sukhia was chairperson person
of the public relations committee for two years.Homi Gandhi
has served as a Main Representative of FEZANA NGO at the United
Nations in consultation with ECOSOC. Khorshed Jungalwala
has served on several committees as s chairperson including the
FEZANA Publications Committee (The Information Receiving and
Dissemination Committee), the Program Committee for the Seventh
World Zoroastrian Congress, and the FEZANA World Body Working
Group.
Back to Top
|
The Scholarship Fund
ZAGNY has a scholarship fund, which helps college students with small
grants and loans. As the loans get paid back the money is ploughed
back into the fund so it grows from year to year and does not only
depend on current donations.
Back to Top
|
The Critical Assistance Fund
ZAGNY supports the efforts of two groups of its members through its
Critical Assistance Fund, which collect yearly donations: for the
Udvada Atash Behram and for the Parsi General Hospital in Bombay.
The first is spearheaded by Erach Munshi with the assistance
of Lovji and Mehru Cama and collects yearly donations of about
$20,000. The second, the Parsi General Hospital Fund is headed by
Jamshed and Yasmin Ghadially and collects about the same amount.
ZAGNY also supports several other critical assistance projects throughout
the years. Back to
Top |
| Our
People |
The growing Membership
The present membership of ZAGNY is about 240 households and represents
over 500 adults, which include members not only from the tri-state
area but also from as far away as Florida, California and Japan. It
is a vibrant community that rallies together in times of joy and sorrow.
It is a democratically run institution where all officers are elected
by majority vote. It has not been possible to name all the individuals
who have contributed their time, energy and finances to the success
of ZAGNY. A list of all individuals who have served on various ZAGNY
Boards is available in the ZAGNY directory.
Back to Top |
|
History
Contributors |
Sections through the year 2000
were compiled and written by Lovji Cama.
Revised by Noshir Langrana, and contributions by Mehru Cama,
Lovji Hakim and Framroze K. Patel, in August 2005
Note: Above recap of the historical moments in the formation of ZAGNY,
purchase and eventual sale of the first DMZT Temple and the purchase
of the New Darbe Mehr Temple in Pomona is based on actual documents
such as Purchase and Sale closing documents, Tax filings, Annual General
Body meeting and Treasurers reports and monthly meeting minutes.
This write-up is constantly being revised from time to time to accurately
record the history for future generations. Any omissions are regretted
and any corrections or comments maybe brought to the attention of
the DMZT and IZA Trustees and the ZAGNY Board of Directors.
Back to Top |
|
Zoroastrian Reference Material |
|
Zoroastrians (Zarathushtis) and Parsis - A History |
View / Download
|
Summary:
A comprehensive description and history of the Zoroastrian religion
and Parsi culture.Thanks to: Zoroastrian Association
of Florida
Back to Top
|
| |
|
|
|
