Zoroastrianism 101: Practicing Zoroastrian Customs and traditions in North America

All interested persons are invited to this informative and educational program to be hosted by Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago:

Saturday November 17: “Zoroastrianism 101: Practicing Zoroastrian Customs and Traditions in North America”
Sunday, November 18: The Second Conference of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ).
Monday, November 19: Half-day RoundTable Discussion.

“Zoroastrianism 101: Practicing Zoroastrian Customs and traditions in North America” and SSZ Conference 2007

Sponsored by Society for Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ), Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAC) and Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of NA (FEZANA)

Chicago, November 16-19, 2007
at the
Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr
8615 Meadowbrook drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527

PROGRAM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16:

7:00 pm Welcome dinner for speakers and guests.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17: “Zoroastrianism 101: Practicing Zoroastrian Customs and Traditions in North America”

9:00   Coffee and rolls

9:15   Benediction – Neville Vazifdar

Welcome by ZAC president Hosi Mehta

Welcome by FEZANA president Rustom Kevala

Opening remarks: SSZ co-chairs Pallan Ichaporia and Rohinton Rivetna

Session I. Chair – Afshan Barshan

9:40       Living a Zarathushti Life – Hosi Mehta

10:00     Understanding the Zarathushti Calendar – Pesi Vazifdar

10:20     Zarathushti Scriptures and texts – Kayomarsh Mehta

10:45     Tea break

Session II. Chair – Tushad Mehta

11:00     The Gathas – an Uplifting Guide to 21st Century Living- Keki Bhote

11:20     An Overview of Personal Prayers – Bomi Damkevala

11:40     Ritual Observances in a Zarathushti Household – Edul Udvadia

12:00     Lunch

12:40     Luncheon Presentation: Shams-ul-Ulama Dr. Sir Jivanji Modi, His Life and Accomplishments through Modern Eyes – Jameshed Modi

Session III. Chair – Shazad Mehta

1:15          Tying the Kushti with Understanding – Er. Jehan Bagli

1:40          Appreciating the Jashan, and Hamazor handclasp – Rohinton Rivetna

2:00          Practicing Respect for the Environment, a Zoroastrian Imperative
               – Rashna ghadialy

2:20          Festivals: Navroze, Jashne Sadeh, Mehergan, Tirgan
               – Keikhosrov Mobed and Farida Sharyari

2:40     Tea break

Session IV. Chair – Bakhtavar Press

3:00          Celebrating Gahambars – Jehangir Mobed

3:20          Customs for Birth, Navjote, Wedding and Death – Mahnaz Farhadieh

3:40          Post-death Customs and Ceremonies; Muktad. – Dr. Pallan Ichaporia
               Dakhma in North America – Jehangir Shroff (in abstentia)

4:00          Closing benediction

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18:

9:00          Coffee and rolls

9:30          Welcome and Benediction

Session I. Chair – Arda-e-viraf Minocherhomjee

9:40          “Gathas are not Didactic” by Dr. Pallan Ichaporia (University of Mainz)

10:20     Pahlavi Yasna and Importance of Pahlavi Literature
               by Prof. William Malandra (University of Texas)

11:00     Tea Break

Session II. Chair – Minoo Press

11:20     Zoroastrianism’s Influence on the Offshoots of 3 religions:
               Essenes of Judaism, Nastorians of Christianity and Sufis of Islam
               by Keki Bhote.

12:00     Jamsheed in Avesta and Pahlavi Literature
               by Prof. Dr. Helmut Humbach (Mainz University) in abstentia.

12:30     Lunch
               Luncheon Speaker: FEZANA president Dr. Rustom Kevala

Session III. Chair – Dara Patel

1:40          Mankind to Mazda – a Voyage in Life by Er. Jehan Bagli (chair, NAMC)

2:20          Update on Persepolis Tablets at Oriental Institute
               by Dr. Matthew Stolper (Oriental Institute)

3:00          Tea Break

Session IV. Chair – Phiroze Nagarwalla

3:20          New Evidences in Zoroastrianism
               by Prof. James Russell (Harvard University)

4:00      ‘Life’ after Life according to Zarathushtra – Dr. Kersey Antia

4:40          Closing benediction

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19

9:00 – Noon: ROUNDTABLE dialogue with scholars and interested community members. Wrap-up session to discuss actions and assign responsibilities.

PROGRAM INFORMATION:
Contact

Pallan Ichaporia (610-589-5419, PRIchaporia@aol.com)
Rohinton Rivetna (630-325-5383, rivetna@aol.com)

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Suggested nearby hotels are:

La Quinta, Willowbrook, IL. $75 + tax for 4 people, continental breakfast, 630-654 0077.
Holiday Inn, Willowbrook, IL. $135 + tax for 4 people, no breakfast, 630-325 6400.
Or, upon request, host arrangements will also be available with Chicago-area families.

REGISTRATION

Please RSVP by November 11th latest, to Roshan Rivetna (630-325-5383, RRRivetna@aol.com), with the number of persons attending on each day: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Cost is $7 for Saturday and $7 for Sunday, payable at the door.