California’s second Center

"Finally, a sense of belonging,” enthused the website of the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC), reporting on the "grand opening of the new ZAC Center on July 18, 2010,” 36 years after the Association was formed in 1974.

"We had an amazing turnout of over 330 people,” wrote Sheila Madon, joint secretary of ZAC, in her detailed report on the event. The day started with Fareshta prayers led by eight priests (with concurrent Fareshta baj at the Anjuman Atash Behram in Bombay) after which the volunteers cooked and served delicious ravo, malido, fruits and mevo to the assembly. Next followed a round of felicitations for those who helped bring the long cherished dream to fruition and an interesting skit. Benefactors Dogdoe and Tehemtan Arjani who have faithfully served the Association for many years, planted a pomegranate tree in the garden near the main entrance. "The acquisition of this hall is a testament to their dedication and generosity,” notes Madon.

Yet another individual who deserved credit for her largesse was Purin Boman who made an initial donation of $ 150,000 towards the purchase of a hall in 2003. "This renewed interest and fundraising efforts gathered an unprecedented momentum. Annual walkathons, nataks, silent auctions and raffles at various functions were held” and a Hall Committee was constituted to search for properties. With a fall in real estate prices in 2007, they started making a determined search and finally in February 2010 some members zeroed in on the "L-shaped 9,400 sq ft building on a two acre plot in the city of Orange, California, on a beautiful tree-lined street in a quiet residential neighborhood.”

Originally built as a church for the Christian Science denomination in 1972, the property on Walnut Avenue found favor with the committee for it is located near Chapman University in the center of the 400-mile radius from Calabasas to San Diego within which reside over 400 members of the Southern California Zoroastrian community. Another plus point was the ample parking space available.

With a generous grant of $ 250,000 from the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong, Canton and Macau coupled with other sizable donations from within the community, "we were a little closer to the $2.6 million required.” Fundraising efforts are continuing with the same fervor for the $ 262,000 loan that remains to be repaid. The current executive committee of ZAC includes president Vira Santoke, vice president Tehmi Damania, treasurer Rooky Fitter, joint secretaries Persis Choksy and Madon, program chair Lily Mistry and youth coordinator Mehernosh Gundevia.

A welcome drink in the form of authentic falooda and icecream generously made and served by Boman’s daughter was relished by the crowds entering the premises from the 90 degrees Southern California sun outside. Scores of volunteers also cooked delicious dhan dar, Parsi stew and shrimp patio for the gathering. Everyone finally partook of some delicious cake on this historic occasion.

"ZAC expressly wishes to thank all who worked tirelessly and relentlessly in the sole pursuit of finding a structure suitable for the needs of the community. Heartfelt thanks also go out to the donors and volunteers who spent hours and days ahead of the opening; cleaning and sprucing up the hall, making it a joy to come to,” conveyed Madon.

Hitherto ZAC would hold its major events and annual general meetings at the California Zoroastrian Center (CZC) in Westminster while events like religious classes and ladies club meetings would be held at private homes, whenever possible.

CZC was founded by Parsi and Irani community leaders such as Farrokh Dastur and Darius Irani (originally from India) and the late Madame Farangis Sharokh (from Iran) and others with contributions from the Arbab Guiv Foundation, Aspi Engineer and others, wrote Maneck Bhujwala in The Bombay Samachar of June 27, 2010. The architect of the Center was Keki Amaria.

The ZAC website carries a congratulatory message from Silloo Mehta of The Mazdayasnie Connection who explained why the inauguration of the new Center was undertaken in the Shahenshahi month of Spandarmad: "Spandarmad Ameshaspand (a female deity) has jurisdiction over one of Dadar Hormuzd’s creations — earth, land. She is the very embodiment of humility, love, tolerance, patience, service, selflessness, forbearance, etc… Spenta Armaity (Avesta for Spandarmad) reminds us to till and cultivate the stony soil of our being with the plough of religion in the absence of ego.”

Dastur K. N. Dastoor Meherjirana, High Priest of Navsari, too compli­mented the ZAC team for "securing a prayer hall and a place to assemble for religious education, funfare and world-renowned Parsi humor and dinner.” He further reminded them of the deliberations at the United Nations conference of Human Environment in 1972 when it was pointed out that "the universe operates not just on physical laws but chiefly on the moral and spiritual laws … The holy Avesta (with about 10 percent left with us) proclaims that the foundation of those divine laws is threefold: Armaiti, Hutoxi and Meher Patet. Armaiti means complete absence of pride and ego; Hutoxi is love, compassion and selfless service towards all humans and the whole creation, Meher Patet is the constant vigil against the breach of all thoughts, words and deeds which are prescribed by all religions. May Ahura Mazda, the loving Almighty, ordain that the trio be the mode and manner of ZAC’s operation.”