To feature any events or news in the monthly FEZANA Bulletin, email bulletin@fezana.org. All content must be received by the 20th of the month to be featured in the next month’s bulletin. The Bulletin Editors reserve editorial right on all content received.

In This Issue…

Sadeh Celebration

FEZANA is thrilled to share momentous news with you! The vibrant tradition of Sadeh, our cherished mid-winter festival, has officially been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity!

This prestigious recognition is a testament to the enduring legacy of Sadeh, a celebration that transcends borders and unites Zoroastrians around the world. From the joyous crackling of bonfires to the heartwarming communal feasts, Sadeh embodies our shared values of resilience, hope, and the triumphant return of spring.

To learn more about this significant achievement and delve deeper into the rich history and customs of Sadeh, we invite you to explore the following resources:

UNESCO Inscription Page: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sadeh-sada-celebration-01713

Here is a video of the Jashn Sade at Kooshk Varjavand, Tehran on January 30, 2024

7th Zoroastrian Return to Roots

The 7th Zoroastrian Return to Roots program, kicked off after a long 3 year gap, from the 21st December, 2023 to 4th January, 2024 with a total of 25 participants and 3 Alumni from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Iran, Pakistan and Singapore making it as the largest group of participants ever for an RTR program.

Over the span of 15 days, the participants had a once in a lifetime opportunity of experiencing several sessions focusing on the Zoroastrian religion, culture, history and which led them to “Return to their Roots” as they travelled to various cities and towns, from Mumbai to Udavada, Mahua, Amalgadh, Navsari and Surat searching for the true meaning of their identity as Zarthusthis.

Throughout the trip, they not only made new friends and shared a plethora of religious knowledge with each other, but also had wholesome new experiences as a community and created memories which they would never forget.

Read full article in the next FEZANA Journal

The grand success of ZYNA’s cross-continent initiative, Attitude of Gratitude 2023

In a heartwarming collaboration, ZYNA’s Service and Advocacy committee co-chairs, Sharmin Mistry and Kashmira Bulsara, hosted their annual Attitude for Gratitude donation drive. This year  they expanded by collabing with 6 associations across Canada and the US.

The Zoroastrian Society of Ontario organized a successful winter clothing drive, and Zoroastrian Association of Michigan‘s Ghambar raised $600 and donated it to the WZO Trust Funds in Navsari, the Surat Boys & Girls Orphanages, the Meherji Rana Library in Navsari, the Parsee General Hospital in Mumbai, and the Navsari Infirmary for the Elderly during the 7th Return to Roots program. The Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation in Oakville collected two bags of clothes and 30 pounds of food, while the Zoroastrian Association of Houston donated food cans to the Houston Food Bank and clothing to the Salvation Army.. The Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey‘s youth partnered with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, assembling 100 weekend diabetic meal bags and llastly, the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia held a donation drive to collect food, toiletries, hygiene products, and more, for the Burnaby Neighbourhood House. All these donations were greatly appreciated by the local communities.

We would like to thank all the associations and members who helped us in making the event so successful. This cross-continental effort showcases the spirit of giving, fostering warmth and support across borders, with ZYNA committing to future initiatives that make a positive impact together.

FEZANA’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024

FEZANA Journal: NEW ISSUE COMING SOON!

ZYNA RETREAT 2024

BOOK REVIEW

The book humorously details her encounters with a series of unsuitable suitors, including a gold digger, a social climber, and more. Despite facing challenges in the global search for the perfect man, the protagonist’s journey takes a meaningful turn as she discovers the most important relationship of her life – her relationship with herself. The book, filled with humor and wit, emphasizes the universal truth that the journey is more important than the destination.

Kainaz Jussawalla, the author, is known for her bestselling novel “Coffee Days, Champagne Nights and Other Secrets” and has received awards for her contributions as a micro-influencer on social media. She is also a Reiki Master and mental health activist, showcasing diverse talents and experiences.

VIDEO RECORDINGS

Presentation by Firdosh Mehta, Past-President, FEZANA to the Living Interfaith Sanctuary

SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR K-12 TEACHERS

[Opportunity shared by the FEZANA Interfaith Activities Committee] Apply Now for the Interfaith Center of New York’s Religious World’s of New York Summer Institute. Applications Due March 5, 2024. Visit https://religiousworldsnyc.org/ to learn more or to apply.

UPCOMING EVENTS

REGISTER NOW: https://nazc2024houston.com

CALENDAR

EVERY SUNDAY  9pm Eastern | 6pm Pacific
ZYNA Hangouts for ZYNA Youth 15-35 years on ZOOM

Saturdays January 20 – February 17, 2024 11am ET

Online Mobed Refresher Course designed for ordained Mobeds of North America. Course offered by NAMC Institute of Zoroastrianism. Instructor: Erv Dr Ramiyar Karanjia. Registration required. See flyer for details.

Saturdays from November 25, 2023 to June 8, 2024, at 11:00 am ET on ZOOM

Pre-Zoroastrian & Zoroastrian Dynasties

Friday, February 9, 2024 at 4pm ET

Ancient Religion in Contemporary Context: Zoroastrian Minority in Modern Iran by Dr. Paulina Niechcial at Indiana University. In-person and online. REGISTER

Friday, February 16, 2023 to Monday, February 19, 2023

ZYNA Leadership Retreat in Vancouver

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 4 pm PT | REGISTER HERE

Pourdavoud Lecture Series with Elspeth Dusinberre

Sunday February 25, 2024 2 pm ET | 11 am PT on ZOOM

The Birth of Younger Avesta

CLICK HERE to join.

Meeting ID: 824 3218 1448 Passcode: NAMCIZS

April 26-28, 2024

SAVE THE DATE: FEZANA 37th Annual General Meeting hosted by Zoroastrian Assoc of Metro Chicago (ZAMC). Check https://fezana.org/2024-agm/ for updates

May 24, 2024 to June 2nd, 2024 | Apply HERE

World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum 2.0: Empowering Future Leaders at the ASHA centre.

Saturday June 1, 2024

Deadline to submit entries for the 2024 Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize

Dec 29, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025

18th North American Congress 2024, Houston.

IN OTHER NEWS

Zubin Mehta to be Given Munich’s Golden Medal of Honor

Conductor Zubin Mehta will be honored for a lifetime’s work on January 26, 2024, when he will receive the Golden Medal of Honor of the City of Munich. The ceremony will be accompanied by a concert from the Munich Philharmonic, who will play works by Weber, Ravel, and Johann Strauss II under the baton of Lahav Shani.

CLICK HERE to read full article.

Ervad Zarrir Bhandara Takes Center Stage at Orange City California Epiphany Gathering

In a groundbreaking moment of interfaith understanding, the City of Orange invited Ervad Zarrir Bhandara, a priest from the Zoroastrian Association of California, to deliver the invocation for their Epiphany meeting on January 9th. This historic gesture not only celebrated the diverse tapestry of religious beliefs in the city but also resonated with the Zoroastrian faith’s core principles of “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Firdaus Kharas Appointed Officer of the Order Of Canada

The Governor-General of Canada Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon announced the appointment of Indian-born Firdaus Kharas as an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honors. The Order of Canada is the centerpiece of the Canadian honor system.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.