Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago proudly hosts 2018 Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) Conference supported by Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and World Zoroastrian Organization at the Arbab Rustom Guiv Dar-e-Mehr, 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, on Friday October 19 – Sunday October 21, 2018.

The Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) is an initiative to promote study and scholarship of the Religion of Zarathushtra.  The mission of the Society is to revive the tradition of scholarship within our community among athornans and behdins alike, and to promote interaction among academicians, theologians (priests), educationists, lay scholars and practitioners of Zoroastrianism, through roundtable discussions, conferences and publications.  The aim is to make SSZ a prestigious organization on par with scholarly organizations of other faith communities, and merit affiliation with international bodies such as the American Academy of Religions.

SSZ Conferences have been held each year since 2006, when noted scholars and students present their research papers.  To encourage Zoroastrian studies within the community, these SSZ conferences also include sessions delivered by community members, especially the next-generation. Persons/Associations interested in the mission and vision of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism, are invited to host future Conferences in their areas.  SSZ will provide assistance as needed. The organizers enjoy complete autonomy in regard to programming and organizing the Conference.

All community members, students, scholars and members of interfaith communities are invited and encouraged to participate.  You will no doubt be enriched, your presence gives support to the speakers, and your feedback is invaluable so that future research efforts may be directed in a constructive manner for the benefit of both the academicians as well as the community.

Registration

Suggested donation is $10.  This will include refreshments on Friday and breakfast, lunch and refreshments on Saturday. You can register for 1, 2 or all 3 days.  Please RSVP (for Friday, Saturday and Sunday separately) by October 10, 2018 to Zarin Karanjia (email or 630-739-2720). For program information contact Rohinton Rivetna (email or 630-248 4387) or Rayomand Ravji (email or 630 589 6631) or Pervin Taleyarkhan (email or 865 368 1982).

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ZAC held its first Annual ZAC Arbor Day on Saturday, September 8, 2018 where nearly 50 volunteers came to the ZAC grounds to lend a helping hand in planting new shrubs and other yardwork jobs that were necessary as the Ava Project construction finishes up. Coordinated by Zenobia Damania and Persis Driver with the indispensable support of Rohinton Rivetna, the bright, sunny day proved to a beautiful example of how large tasks can be tackled when many hands work together. In the span of a few hours, the hardworking group, among other things, finished planting 15 new flowering shrubs along the parking lot border, 2 new juniper shrubs for screening on the East side of the main building, and 1 new burning bush shrub near the front entrance of the building. The group also prepared the garden bed for the upcoming Festival of Faiths Interfaith rose planting ceremony, and also tackled many pruning, weeding and rough grading jobs around the ZAC property.
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