Humata . Hukhta . Hvarshta
Kids Corner
Religion & Heritage Class
COME JOIN US
ZAC offers various classes related to the Zoroastrian religion and our Persian/Parsi heritage. New students are always welcome!
Classes meet on the 3rd Sunday of each month at the ZAC Center.
Well Wishes for the New Year
from the Students of the ZAC Religion Class 2020
How It All Began
Origin of the Class
The origin of ZAC's religious classes goes back to the eighties. At the time, classes were conducted by Ervad Jal Birdy, Ervad Cowsie Malva, and Noshir Jesung.
1980s
Teaching Navjote Prayers
Ervad Zarrir Bhandara began teaching Navjote prayers along with their significance to children. He used to travel from San Diego to West Los Angeles, since ZAC had no center at the time.
1990s
Classes at CZC, Westminster
Ervad Jehangir Dastur, also a professional school teacher joined Zarrir Bhandara. They jointly started conducting the classes once a month at the California Zoroastrian Center, in Westminster. The pride of this religious class was the preparation of five young boys for Navar and Maratab.
2002
Teaching young students
At the request of community members, a class for very young students was offered and taught by Shazneen Gandhi.
2009
Classes moved to ZAC Center
Houtoxi Contractor began to teach this class. That year, the class also moved to the ZAC Center, since the new Atash Kadeh provides students with a place of worship at the Center. The class is supported by several parents who volunteer to teach. Gulshan Pagdiwala leads arts and crafts activities related to the subject matter of the courses.
2014
First Gratitude Gahambar
The religion class community has hosted an annual Gratitude Gahambar as an act of service to show appreciation to elders in the community. Organized by the parents and supported with donations from ZAC and the families of the religion class community, this event is entirely executed by the students of the class.
2018
New 3 Tier Curriculum
ZAC religious classes incorporated a third component, the middle and high school religious studies curriculum. This engaging and critical thinking format was planned and is taught by Zerkxis Bhandara, who joined the religious classes as a teacher in January 2020, after forming the curriculum in the prior year. This three year program covers scriptures, history, and rituals. It is meant to keep preteens and teenagers engaged in the learning and discussion process pertaining to their religious lifestyle.
2020
Our kids have so many questions about why we practice our religion the way we do. I like to teach in a way that encourages such questioning. Their inquiry should lead them to a life grounded in faith nurtured from within.
Shazneen Gandhi
Sunday School Teacher, ZAC
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