Upcoming Events
18 June
Celebration of Panjabi culture through Gurbani
11:00 - 12:00 pm PST
Jakara Coference 2010
Fresno, CA
18 June
Victory of Khalsa Raj
7:00 - 9:00 pm BST
Ramgharia Educational and Cultural Center
Slough, UK
19 June
Sevadar: Becoming an Inspiring Activist-Saneha
10:00 - 4:00 pm BST
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Derby
Derby, UK
20 June
Banda Singh & Jarnail Singh: Mission, Memory & Martyrdom
12:00 - 12:30 pm BST
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall
Park Avenue, UK
20 June
Rekindling the Sikh Spirit: Ideas for Today and Tomorrow
2:00 - 4:00 pm BST
Sikh Missionary Society
Southall, UK
26 June
The Guru: Connecting with the Divine Light - Saneha
8:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor
Windsor, ON, Canada
26 June
Becoming Panthak Now
5:00 - 7:00 pm EST
Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor
Windsor, ON, Canada
27 June
Getting to Know Vahiguru
10:00 - 12:00 pm EST
Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor
Windsor, ON, Canada
27 June
Ghallughara & I
12:30 - 1:30 pm EST
Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor
Windsor, ON, Canada
August 2010
1-15 August
Sidak: Faith. Courage. Discipline
San Antonio, TX, USA
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Sidak 2010
There's Still Time!
Don't delay! The deadline for Sidak registration has been extended until June 30, we hope you will take one of the spots we have open!
Sidak is SikhRI's annual youth leadership development retreat. This year we will be together August 1-15 in the beautiful Texas Hill Country right outside of San Antonio. These two weeks are not to be missed-- with three tracks available: Sikhi 101, Sikhi 201 and Gurmukhi 101 you will discover a place where you can ask any and all questions of our knowledgeable, patient instructors, challenge yourself and explore your personal relationship with Sikhi, and bond with other young people who are as passionate and open to the possibilities of the future as you are.
Besides a classroom component tailored especially toward the focus of each track, Sidakers will spend time developing their public speaking skills, strengthening their grasp of Sikh history, and discussing ways to effectively educate and advocate in their communities on behalf of Sikhs everywhere.
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Annual Report
SikhRI's 2009 Annual Report
Please take a moment to look through our 2009 Annual Report, available now. You can also access the report through our web site. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our donors, supporters and volunteers who contributed to the growth and development of SikhRI in 2009. We look forward to continuing these partnerships through 2010 and beyond.
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Sevadar
Spotlight: Dr. Inder Jit (IJ) Singh
In the coming months, we would like to introduce newsletter readers to members of SikhRI's Board of Directors and Board of Advisors.
Dr. IJ Singh came to the United States in 1960 on a Murry & Leonie Guggenheim Foundation fellowship. He is a professor of anatomical sciences at New York University. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the United Sikhs, and as a trustee of the MBSK Foundation (New York). He currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Sikh Review (Calcutta). He has authored four collections of essays on his journey as a Sikh in North America. Inder Jit Singh is a regular columnist on the online magazine sikhchic and has lectured extensively on interfaith issues. He is an important voice on SikhRI's Board of Directors.
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SikhRI in Canada
Water Crisis in Panjab
On 22 May, SikhRI participated in a Save Panjab! event dedicated to bringing attention and support to the water crisis in the region. The event was held at the North Delta Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada. Harinder Singh presented information which explored the causes of the water shortage, "green" approaches, the impact on the population and environment and the search for solutions. Surender Pal Singh and Bandana Kaur helped to develop the presentation which around 350 people attended.
A day earlier, on 21 May, Harinder Singh made a full day of promoting the importance of the event on various media outlets. He appeared on The Harjinder Thind Show on RED93.1FM, the Harjit Singh Gill Show on Radio Sher-e-Punjab-AM1500, OMNI News, hosted by Dilbar Kang on Channel M, and the Amritpal Brar Show on Radio India 1600 Am.
Victory of the Khalsa Raj
SikhRI presented twice on 23 May in British Columbia, on the topic of the 1710 Victory of the Khalsa Raj. Harinder Singh led both events, which were held at the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Sikh Society in Abbotsford, and Gurdwara Sahib Dashmesh Darbar in Surrey. The presentation covered the Guru's Mission and Banda Singh Bahadur's role in the expeditions. It also explored the evolution of the Sikh state over the past 300 years and the relevance of the Khalsa Raj today. Some 60 people attended the events. That morning, Harinder Singh had done a radio show on the same topic for Dilaan di Saanjh with Kuldip Singh on Radio Sher-e-Punjab on AM1500.
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Seattle Sikh Retreat
Ice the Vice
Over the weekend of 28-31 May, Kirpa Kaur, Preetinder Kaur and Harinder Singh attended the Seattle Sikh Retreat in Longbranch, WA, and delivered a three-part workshop titled "Five Vikars" as part of the weekend's schedule. The retreat was themed "Ice the Vice" and activities took a multifaceted approach to strengthening individual resolve and discipline, while translating that determination into a stronger, unified sangat. The approach of the SikhRI contribution to the theme was tri-fold: directives from Guru Granth Sahib (bani), historical precedents from the lives of the Gurus (tavarikh), and the relevance of these lessons in our lifestyle (rahit). All sessions explored the aforementioned gurmat elements along with engaging activities for the audience.
Session One explored the five vices and the five virtues from varying religious and psychological perspectives. Can we call them vices? Traits? Something else? Session Two delved into the effect of the five on the individual level. Session Three explored how the five enter and mold the collective psyche and behavior. The goal was to learn the Sikhi way (What, Why, When, Where & How) in order to punch the panch (vikars) and to become panch (supreme).
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Nam
Identification with the Divine
On 5 June Harinder Singh presented for 54 people in Norwalk, CN, at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Foundation. The topic of the event was Nam: Identification with the Divine, covering areas of interest on the topic such as: "Dead or Living Phenomenon", "Etymology & Other Forms", "Gur Prasadi – By Guru’s Grace", "Nam-Simran: How & Why".
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Banda & Jarnail
Banda & Jarnail: Mission, Memory & Martyrdom
The Sikh Cultural Society hosted a SikhRI presentation on June 6 in Richmond Hill, NY. Some 1200 people attended the event, which addressed the topic Banda & Jarnail: Mission, Memory & Martyrdom. These two historical figures in Sikh history were examined in terms of their clarity and dedication to their mission, their submission to the Guru in body and mind, and the controversy over their legacy today. Surender Pal Singh assisted in the development of this presentation.
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Sojhi
Getting to Know Vahiguru
Jasmine Kaur led a workshop titled "Getting to Know Vahiguru" which was specially tailored for young children, at the Guru Nanak Foundation of America on 16 May. More than 90 people attended the event, which is designed to walk children through a Sabad by Bhagat Kabir Ji using material that is readily available from nature. The highly interactive session is geared toward assisting children in picking up new vocabulary, developing thinking skills and leaving them with a desire to learn more through discussion and self-discovery. SikhRI is proud to offer programming that is appropriate for all ages and stages of life, in order to unite communities and individuals in educational growth, development and discovery.
1984 Discussion Resources Available
The Sikh Educator's Network has made a new set of lessons, resources and discussion guides available for free use and download. Knowing how to present the events of 1984 to children can be extremely difficult, and instructors and parents may steer clear of the topic entirely for fear of frightening students, or not being sure how to answer their questions accurately while maintaining a productive dialogue. The lessons plans and resources available, as well as the new blog post, seeks to assist educators and parents in portraying the events in the context of human rights, as well as within the context of Sikh culture.
Please spend some time on the site today, whether you are an educator, parent, or curious for yourself. If you would like to comment on the blog or start a new discussion thread, you will need to register with SEN, which is easy and free. Creating a log in name will also ensure that you stay informed of new resources and materials as they become available, and will be plugged into a community of thoughtful, passionate instructors.
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Liv
Igniting A Revolution
On 12 June, Kulvir Singh facilitated a Liv Webinar on the topic "Igniting a Revolution: How Sikh Youth Saved the Panth". The 90-minute session explored the historical roots of Sikh youth's influencing the religious and political leadership of the Panth following the political turmoil of 1849, and reflected on the contemporary possibilities of youth activism and influence in today's world.
Of his inspiration in planning the Webinar, Kulvir Singh said, "With all the challenges and issues facing our Panth, it is easy to get discouraged. However, even a quick look at our history reminds us that Sikhs have often struggled to ensure our very existence. My motivation for preparing this Liv webinar was to foucus in on a particularly relevant point in time just over a century ago. What Sikh youth did then to ignite a revolution in the Panth provides our youth with many lessons and tremendous inspiration to address todays challenges."
Webinars are scheduled regularly and can be taken anywhere in the world as long as Internet access is available. Click here to learn more about Liv webinars and the registration process at our web site.
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Job Opening
Hiring: Executive Director
The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization seeking to develop a principle-driven community by protecting the core values and enlarging the resource pool. SikhRI’s mission is to facilitate training and development while inspiring Sikh values, create global awareness of Sikhi, and deliver strategic solutions to the key challenges faced by the Sikh community. SikhRI is currently seeking to fill the position of an Executive Director. The successful candidate will lead SikhRI and be responsible for providing direction to the staff. The primary task will be raising funds (70%) followed by administration (30%). S/he will work closely with the Board and the Chief Programming Officer to further the mission of SikhRI. Annual salary range will commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation, holidays, sick days and insurance (medical, LTD, STD, Life & Accidental). Click Here to Learn More
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Thank yous
Sikh Research Institute exists to serve the community's education needs. As we strive to fulfill our mission of empowerment through education, we cannot be successful without the endless support of volunteers. Thank you to all of our volunteers this month who continue to inspire us with their strength, dedication, and passion!
Baljinder Kaur Narang, Bandana Kaur, Charanjit Kaur Chanana, Harpreet Kaur, Gajinder Singh, Inni Kaur, Kirpa Kaur, Mandhir Singh, Moninder Singh, Parvkar Singh, Preetinder Kaur, Rajinder Singh, Satpal Singh, Shailinder Singh Bhullar, Sukhneet Singh Virk and Tripat Singh.
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