Saturday, September 28, 2024
After the resounding successes of the previous four Jamva Chaloji’s in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2021, this Persian-Parsi cuisine extravaganza was back by popular demand. No dull dreary weather could put a damper on our spirits as guests from all over the tri-state area and beyond came out dressed in their traditional best – ladies in their gorgeous gara saris, and gentlemen in their dashing daglis.
Preparations for the event started months in advance. Perhaps it was the lure of having one of our most renowned Parsi chefs from Mumbai, India, Kaizad Patel, flying in to cook a traditional Parsi lagan nu bhonu, or the famous baritone Ervad Frazan Adil Kotwal along with pianist Yu Tashiro flying in from Stuttgart, Germany, joined by our very own Tara Jamshidian, lined up for the entertainment, the event was sold out in no time with 200 registrants and several desperately reaching out to our lead organizer, Nina Mistry, to get onto the wait list.
Guests arrived promptly by 6pm for the group photo, followed by the cocktail hour with scrumptious Persian appetizers – Mini Koobideh Kababs (ground meat kabab), Mini Chicken Kababs, Kashk Badenjan (vegetarian dish with eggplant and whey) with Naan, Shirazi Salad (chopped salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onion), and platters heaped with Olives-n-Pickles. As always, guests devoured the Persian treats from Ravagh restaurant (NYC), compliments of our IZA family, while enjoying a “Parsi-Peg” or two from the open bar.
Ervad Jamshed Dastur attended to the Atash in the Prayer Room and performed the Boi ceremony for attendees as they came in to pray.
Guests were drawn to the attractive Bazaar/Silent Auction tables, which offered a selection of exclusive items carefully and painstakingly curated by Percis Bansal and Behroze Clubwala through the generosity of several donors from the local community as well as Mumbai, India. Items included Lladró Farohar plates (not too late to still get your orders in! contact bclubwala@aol.com), beautiful saris, embroidered wall hangings and scarves/wraps, a lovely tea set, candles, perfumes, antique Afarghanyu-and-Khumcha set, baskets with Parsi-goodies and gourmet foods, chef-cooked dinners, cooking classes, flights, hotel stays, vacation home packages, and so much more!
After the meet-n-greet cocktail hour, attendees were requested to take their seats and were welcomed by ZAGNY President, Khursheed Navder. She thanked our generous fun-loving community for always supporting our events and called out some special guests from overseas who had joined us that evening – Dr. Rajesh Parikh, a renowned psychiatrist from Mumbai; Rory MacLean, a British Canadian historian interested in learning about our Zoroastrian culture; and the Birdie family who had flown in from Canada to celebrate Khurshed’s milestone 80th Birthday!
Khursheed also recognized our youngsters, Cyrus Andaz, Cyrus Batliboi, Zerxes Dabhoilwala-Marolia, Xaera Mehta, Xerxes Mehta, and Zarah Shroff, for their enthusiasm in volunteering to help that evening and invited Nina Mistry to present them with a Volunteer Appreciation Certificate. Shout out to Jehangir Mehta for encouraging and coordinating the youth participation.
Khursheed then called on the VIP for the evening, Chef Kaizad Patel, thanking him for collaborating with the Jamva Chaloji team and singlehandedly preparing the elaborate meal that guests would enjoy later that evening.
The entertainment segment started with introductions from the impressive resumés of our artists, who enthralled the audience with toe-tapping favorites that not only got everyone to sing along but also got some guests to shake a leg and dance in the aisles. It was no surprise that their performances left guests wanting more than just one encore.
During a brief intermission, Toos Daruvala took the opportunity to thank all the event sponsors, supporters, Bazaar/Silent Auction item donors, and provided a quick update of the ongoing Dar-e-Mehr projects – perimeter fencing, audio-video projection from the Prayer room, walking trail, resurfacing front entrance curb at steps to the building, children’s playground, and main hall aesthetics. Toos also reminded guests that orders were currently being accepted for the engraved brick paver patio (contact eduldaver@gmail.com).
One thing led to another and before we knew it pledges amounting to approx. $38,000 poured in from our energized attendees. With an additional approx. $43,000 resulting in profits from the event itself (including $9,400 from the Bazaar/Silent Auction) our community had helped raise a total $81,000, making this our most successful Jamva Chaloji Fundraiser!
After the entertainment, Nina expressed our sincere thanks to Frazan, Yu, and Tara, for the mesmerizing performances and invited Niloufer Daver and Hira Daruvala to present them with a token of our appreciation.
Before inviting guests to “Jamva Chaloji!”, Nina took a few minutes to acknowledge the efforts and time commitment of the organizing committee (in alphabetical order by last name) Percis Bansal. Rushad Cassad, Behroze Clubwala, Edul Daver, Khursheed Navder, Sam Shroff, Arzan Sam Wadia, and recognized the invaluable support of (in alphabetical order by last name) Prema Cassad, Mehernosh Daroowalla, Darius Daruwalla, Kerman and Jasely Dukandar, Shailendra Dusaj, Jasmin Kotwal, Jehangir Mehta, Hiroiz and Dilnaz Nalladaru, Pam Shroff, and Zarine Shroff.
Edul then called upon Nina to thank her for leading all five Jamva Chaloji’s and invited Percis Bansal to present a token of appreciation. Another individual deserving a special thanks for introducing us to Chef Kaizad Patel and being instrumental in making Jamva Chaloji 2024 a success, is ZAGNY Board Member Sam Shroff, who along with his numerous talents can now also add sous chef to his resume! Many thanks also to Zarine Shroff for her tireless efforts.
Guests then took their seats at panths laid out with delightful, bright-green, gleaming patras (banana leaves), waiting with great anticipation to enjoy Chef Kaizad Patel’s creations.
In keeping with ZAGNY tradition, the current Board members and their spouses were excited to serve our guests. Along with our youth volunteers, all donned on their aprons and gloves with pride for this opportunity to thank guests and spoon-out the multiple-course traditional lagan nu bhonu. A helping hand was lent by our Jehangir Mehta and Mehernosh Daroowalla to ensure that dinner service flowed flawlessly for guests to enjoy.
First came the drinks with “mango juice” reigning as the all-time favorite for the fifth time in a row!; next came the rotli, lagan nu achar, murambo, and saria; followed by the bharuchi akoori generously garnished with mewo (dry fruits); followed by saas ni machi (with pomfrets flown in from Mumbai to create the authentic flavors); followed by masala marghi; and ending with mutton pulao-dar. Even though guests were bursting at the seams, they couldn’t resist the delicious lagan nu custard dessert that completed the delectable meal.
A separate Parsi vegetarian menu specially created and prepared by Chef Kaizad Patel was available to a handful of our vegetarian guests and one vegan guest – chutney-na- pattice, Parsi stew, cauliflower-n-peas in coconut milk, rye-no-papeto, and vegetable pulao-dar.
After-dinner festivities continued with guests giving a huge round of applause to Chef Kaizad Patel as Nina extended our heartfelt thanks to him for generously giving his time and sharing his culinary talent pro bono, while Percis Bansal presented him with a token of appreciation.
The evening ended with Frazan singing to guests celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries that day/week, while volunteers brought cupcakes to each of them.
The second panth was reserved for gher-wallas, with guests Rushad Irani and Hanoze Elavia adamant about recreating the panth experience for our volunteers by serving them dinner – such a thoughtful gesture, much appreciated by the volunteers who were able to enjoy a relaxed sit-down meal. Our volunteers were also deeply touched by the outpouring of messages the next day and appreciation gifts of scarves from Dhun and Phil Shroff of Dilemma.
Jamva Chaloji 2024 not only helped fundraise $81,000, but more importantly we hope it helped create cherished memories for years to come. It was a delight to see grandparents with their grandchildren, to overhear nostalgic stories being shared, and to bring the community together for a cultural experience they would otherwise not have the opportunity to enjoy together – and that is priceless!