Newsletter No. 8 December 2004, Y.Z. 1374

The ZAF Board Wishes Everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We Wish Everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

2004 in Review We started this year with the AGM to discuss the lagging interest in ZAF, especially amongst the younger generation. But before we could really get going, the year 2004 just zipped by. The ZAF Board organized our customary, four annual functions for Navroze, Pateti, the picnic, and a final Ghambar & Jasan. Thanks to the tremendous zeal and energy of Professor Aban Kavasmaneck, we successfully inaugurated and held several “religious” classes on the Zoroastrian faith, culture, and traditions. We would have liked to have organized additional fun activities, such as a Halloween party or Christmas / New Year’s Eve Parties but due to a shortage of Board members and our ever hectic lives, we just couldn’t. But next year, we will try and do more… We are planning a day trip to Edison House, near Naples. We will also try and provide better entertainment at our functions, perhaps even a Naatak if we can get enough volunteers. We also have a few budding musicians amongst our community and hope to have them entertain us at future events.

Zoroastrian Association of Florida

Inside this Issue…. Vice President’s 2004 In Review…….. 1 New Arrivals..………… 4 Accomplishments by Younger Generation…4

Other News ……………5 Children’s Corner ……. 6 On the Lighter Side …. 7 Upcoming Events …… 8

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Aban’s classes have become very popular amongst the younger generation and may have been the spark to rekindle the relevance of Zoroastrianism in their lives. We are even drawing attendees who live almost 100 miles away. Classes will continue on a bi-monthly basis and typically be scheduled around the first Sunday in the month. Aban is also trying to teach a little Gujarati to our kids. Please continue to encourage your children to attend these classes. The more I observe how active other Indian expatriate communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Sindhis, etc.) are in South Florida, the more I wish that our own community would also grow rapidly and build our own community center before all the prime land (for community centers and churches) in Davie is gone. Invite all your friends and extended family to move to South Florida and have bigger families. After almost four decades of observing typical Zoroastrians families having one or two kid(s), a few ZAF families in South Florida have three children or are planning to get a third. But in the meantime, we can certainly join other Indian communities, make more friends, and learn from them the secrets that make their associations so dynamic. Hovi Shroff and Rita Engineer have been very active with AIA (Association of Indians in America, South Florida Chapter) for years. A few other ZAF families also attend

ZAF Board

Khushroo Daruwala — President Pauli Bhadha — Vice President Arnavaz Irani — Treasurer Aban Kavasmaneck — Acting Secretary Jimmy Major — Director Navroze Irani — Director Dustyn Shroff — Director

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AIA events and have a wonderful time. The next two big AIA events are their Festival of India on Sunday, January 23 and the AIA annual picnic & cricket match on Sunday, February 20; ask Rita or Hovi for details. AIA membership can be obtained or renewed at www.aiaflorida.org Cyrus, Persis, and Alexis are taking Gujarati classes at the Hindu Temple on Griffin Road. I am truly amazed at the number of activities conducted by the Hindu Temple. Besides classes in theology and, regular Bhajans, they also conduct classes in Gujarati and Hindi for children at varying levels of competency. These language classes are popular and there is a waiting list for enrollment. Every Sunday, the Hindu Temple offers free lunch to anyone who wishes to attend; the number of attendees can range from ~ 150 on an average Sunday to as many as 500-600 on a holiday weekend. Cooking is done by volunteers. There are active committees with volunteer groups for new construction, gardening, maintenance, Sunday cooking, and the library/gift shop. As we mentioned before, we now have several wonderful musicians in our community. Farrokh Firozgary is very good at the keyboard. Darien Kavasmaneck is simple amazing at the piano as his fingers magically glide over the keys. Sharon Dubash too is very good at the piano. Cyrus Bhadha has become proficient with the baritone so I hereby nominate, second, and accept on their behalf for them to perform at future ZAF events. We welcome all the new members of our community. Read more about them on Page 4. We are in the midst of a major overhaul of our membership directory, thanks to the kind efforts of Jahan and Nancy Daruwala. Hopefully, we will have the new directory at the Navroze function in March. Please fill out the questionnaire sent by Jahan and mail it back so that it is received NO LATER THAN JANUARY 8 FOR CHANGES TO BE VALID. Please also sponsor an ad to defray the costs of printing (Full page - $40, Half Page - $20, Quarter Page or Business Card - $10). The next ZAF event will be the annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, January 16, 2005, at Kashmira & Pauli Bhadha’s house. We request everyone to attend and to share ideas to make our community and association more vibrant. Tea and cookies will be served. We also request all members to pay their Association dues, soon. Please mail them to the Treasurer or pay them at the AGM. Please also invite your guests and others to become members. Please also submit items of interest to the Editor so that we can share them in our next Newsletter.

Pauli Bhadha, Vice-President & Editor, ZAF 2004 Navroze Function We celebrated Navroze on March 21. Thank you, Daisy Patel, for arranging the entertainment — The Body & Soul Dancers. We also thank Jahan & Nancy Daruwala for sponsoring the entertainment. We also deeply appreciate the efforts of Amy & Gustad Irani in setting up the traditional Haft-Seen table at all our Navroze functions.

Arnavaz with her Haft-Seen Table at 2004 Navroze

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At the Navroze function we also ratified the existing members of the ZAF Board and our two new younger members — Navroze Irani and Dustyn Shroff. We also thank Aban Kavasmaneck for giving presents to our children. . Aban handing out presents Ghambar We thank Kersi Raja for once again opening his house for our annual Ghambar. We really appreciate the efforts of many to make this event a success — Khushroo Daruwalla and Zubin Panthaky for conducting the Jasan ceremony, Gustad Irani for providing the plantain leaves, Arnavaz (Amy) Irani for providing the Jasan flowers and fruits, Kaizad Hansotia for serving the food for all three Panghats (and refraining from being fed himself. Quite a feat, Big Guy!) Thank you Daisy Mehta for a very tasty meal.

Aban giving presents to children at Navroze

Professor Aban explaining Zarathushtrian traditions ….

….. and her rapt audience

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New Arrivals in 2004 Baby Boy, Nicholai, to Katya and Kaizad Hansotia on October 16. Baby Girl, Meher, to Jennifer & Rustom Irani on December 10. Baby Girl, Sanaya, to Diana & Cyrus Bharucha on September 24 Twin boys, Zachary & Sam, to Jehangir & Zeena Irani on Sept. 22.

We welcome a new dynamic family, the Firozgarys, who moved from Houston. Farrokh works at BBVA Bank (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) in Miami and is very good at playing the keyboard. Farrokh was integral in the organization of the very successful World Zoroastrian Congress in Houston, a few years ago. Mahnaaz still owns and runs a successful salon in Houston and is from the Kayani family of Poona, makers of the famous Shrewsbury biscuits. Her grandfather started the Kayani Bakery, which is still being run by her brothers and sisters. Their children, Gohar and Bahrom, attend Cooper City High and Pioneer Middle School in Cooper City. We also welcome Vahbiz Engineer who is a student at FIU. Vahbiz first temporarily stayed with Perin and Nari Patel before moving to her current apartment in Miami Beach. Accomplishments by our Younger Generation Top Gun! Zubin Major was accepted into the Naval Aviation program at Pensacola, an incredibly difficult feat where perhaps one-in-a-hundred are selected. Many years ago, Papa Jimmy Major, too had the same dream: Jimmy had applied for the Indian Air force in Dehradun, but unfortunately did not make the cut. We are all very proud of you, Zubin. Go for it! Tae Kwon Do! Zane Todywala was awarded the yellow belt. Forensics Debate! Cyrus Bhadha (who is still in Middle School) won the annual Forensics Debate competition at Nova School. Cyrus was competing against high school candidates and talked on subjects, such as should the USA accommodate North Korea’s dictator, Kim. Dalai Lama Convocation! Marina Antia sang at the Convocation for the Dalai Lama at the Office Depot Center (Panthers Arena). Marina sang John Lennon’s song, “Imagine” to a crowd of around 14,000, this September. The crowd loved it. Fort Lauderdale Film Festival! Marina & Damien Antia as well as Shimera & Kyra Cama sang a song and played a skit at the world premier of the Indian movie, “Little Magician” during the opening week-end of the Fort Lauderdale film festival this October. Indian Dance! Persis & Alexis Bhadha are learning Hip-Hop style (not classical) Indian dancing. They gave mini performances at two Sindhi Association functions this year. Graduation! Aiesha Engineer graduated from high school with a 3.8 GPA and is now a freshman at UCF, Orlando, studying art. Aiesha also won a scholarship from AIA.

Nicholai Zachary

Sam

Meher Sanaya

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Symphonic Band! The Pioneer Middle School Symphonic Band, with Cyrus Bhadha on the baritone, welcomed visitors at Fort Lauderdale Airport during this busy Holiday Season. The Band will next perform at Disneyland in April. Navjotes! Kevyn Shroff, Marina Antia, and Persis & Alexis Bhadha were initiated into the Zoroastrian faith, this summer. We are all very proud of you kids! Other News Congratulations to Rehan and Simin Engineer as they exchanged vows on October 16 in Dallas! Our prayers and thoughts are with Shiroiy Cama who has just returned home from the hospital. We wish you a speedy recovery. Malcolm Mehta celebrated his first birthday last month and learned his first cuss words, while watching a game of football with Dad. Freny and Hoshedar are so proud, a chip of the old block? Ethan Daruwala also celebrated his first birthday on January 24. Noshir and Freny Dhalla became grandparents; their daughter, Dimple, got a baby boy. Arnavaz & Gustad Irani became grandparents, several times over. Diana and Cyrus Bharucha along with their children, Arzaan and Sanaya, are back in Nairobi. Viraf Gandhi is in India, preparing for his wedding to Parizad in January. For all those of you who saw his hairy chest and back, courtesy of a “stripper” at the Deboo residence, our condolences. Viraf can put any Sardarji to shame. Besides Viraf, Nari & Perin Patel, Perry Unwalla, Dolly & Kersi Munshi, Vahbiz Engineer are all in India. Have a wonderful time! Editors Note: Thank you, Arnavaz, for your help in obtaining news of our community.

Kevyn Persis & Alexis Marina

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The following article appeared recently in the Sun Sentinel. Arielle Carpenter, a reporter at the Sentinel, interviewed Dustyn Shroff and other students at Pinecrest.

Cyrus Bhadha is really into drawing comic strips. Here’s one, a tad naughty, inspired by Mad Magazine & the Salvation Army:

Riddles contributed by Persis Bhadha:

Why is Europe like a frying pan? Because there’s Greece (grease) on the bottom.

When is a doctor most angry? When he is out of patients (patience). Why is a doctor the meanest man on earth? First he treats you & then makes you pay for it. What has five eyes but can’t see? The Mississippi River (spelled with 5 “i”s)

CHILDREN’S CORNER The Children’s Corner, a regular feature of this newsletter, is intended for our children who are sixteen and younger. We invite everyone, including your children, to send in their contributions puzzles, quizzes, drawings, articles, jokes, and items of interest.

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On the Lighter Side Sipping Vodka A new priest at his first mass was so nervous he could hardly speak. After mass he asked the monsignor how he had done. The monsignor replied, “When I am worried about getting nervous on the pulpit, I put a glass of vodka next to the water glass. If I start to get nervous, I take a sip.” So the next Sunday he took the monsignor’s advice. At the beginning of the sermon, he got nervous and took a drink, then another and another. He proceeded to talk up a storm. Upon his return to his office after the mass, he found the following note on the door: 1) Sip the vodka, don’t gulp. 2) There are 10 commandments, not 12. 3) There are 12 disciples, not 10. 4) Jesus was consecrated, not constipated. 5) Jacob wagered his donkey, he did not bet his ass. 6) We do not refer to Jesus Christ as the late J.C. 7) The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not referred to as Daddy, Junior, and the Spook. 8) David slew Goliath, he did not kick the sh*t out of him. 9) When David was hit by a rock and was knocked off his donkey, don’t say he was stoned off his ass. 10) We do not refer to the cross as the “Big T.” 11) When Jesus broke bread at the last supper he said, “Take this and eat it for it is my body.” He didn’t say, “Eat Me.” 12) The Virgin Mary is not called, “Mary with the Cherry.” 13) The recommended grace before a meal is not: Rub-A-Dub-Dub, thanks for the grub, Yeah God! 14) Next Sunday there will be a taffy pulling contest at St. Peter’s, not a peter pulling contest at St. Taffy’s.

Commentary Most "terrorists" are reported to have come to the US legally, but they then hang around on expired visas, some for as long as 10 to 15 years. Now, at Blockbuster Video if you are 2 days late with a video, those people are all over you. So, why isn't Blockbuster in charge of immigration? Deserted Island One day, this guy, who has been stranded all alone on a deserted island for ten years, sees an unusual speck on the horizon. It's certainly not a ship, he thinks to himself. And as the speck gets closer and closer, he begins to rule out the possibility of a small boat, then even a raft. Suddenly, emerging from the surf comes this drop-dead gorgeous blonde woman wearing a wet suit and scuba gear. She approaches the stunned guy and asks, "How long has it been since you've had a cigarette?" "Ten years." he says. She reaches over and unzips a waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of fresh cigarettes. He takes one, lights it, takes a long drag, and says, "Man, oh man, is that ever good!" She then asks him, "How long has it been since you've had a sip of bourbon?" Trembling, he replies, "Ten years!" She reaches over, unzips her waterproof pocket on her right sleeve, pulls out a flask, and gives it to him. He opens the flask, takes a long swig, and says, "Wow! that's absolutely fantastic!" Then she starts slowly unzipping the long zipper that runs down the front of her wet suit, looks at him seductively, and asks .... "And how long has it been since you've played around?” With tears in his eyes, the guy replies, "Oh! Sweet Jesus! Don't tell me you've got golf clubs in there!

Best Sardarji Jokes Banta Singh was in court charged with parking his car in a restricted area. The judge asked him if he had anything to say in his defense. “They should not put up such misleading notices," said Banta Singh. "It said, “FINE FOR PARKING HERE." Sardarji got his 4th child. He filled data in the birth certificate: "Mother: Sikh. Father: Sikh. Child: Chinese." "How come you wrote, "Chinese," when both parents are Sikh?" "Aah! Sardarji read a newspaper, it says that every 4th person born on the Earth now is a Chinese." Contributed by some of our wilder patrons. Many never quite grew up, one even has Janwar as his email moniker. Ed’s Note: We hope we don’t offend anyone with an occasional off-color or ethnic joke.

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Coming Events ZAF We are also planning a day-trip to Edison House, near Naples, which has many of Edison’s inventions. The trip is tentatively planned for mid-April. The Youth Congress will be held at the Hotel Radisson in Miami, tentative dates are December 27-30. Contact Navroze Irani at (561) 998-2817 for details. The ZAF Board will try to provide assistance, as needed. If there is a shortage of hotel rooms, we may need some host families in South Florida to put up some of the youth. AIA Events: Festival of India, Sunday, Jan 23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Omni Auditorium, Coconut Creek Annual Picnic & Cricket Match on Sunday, February 20 To Postmaster: If undeliverable, please return to

11603 Sunfish Way Cooper City, FL 33026

Religious

Class

Pauli & Kashmira Bhadha’s Residence

16 January Sunday

1:00 p.m.

Picnic

Markham Park

8 May Sunday

Navroze

Venue to be decided

26 March Saturday

AGM Annual General

Meeting

Pauli & Kashmira Bhadha’s Residence

16 January Saturday3:00 p.m.