"To our community (that) surely has stood the test of time; to our elder generation who built this community, showed us the way, and are gripping the proverbial torch with all their might; to my generation who are listening, learning, and are now prying the torch from our elders’ hands; to our children who will learn from us and continue the legacy; to all our generations working together to ensure this community thrives for decades and centuries to come.” Joining in the five toasts raised by president Jamshed Rivetna were nearly 200 members of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAMC) who had gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their Rustam Guiv Dar-e-Mehr.
At the 40th anniversary function in Chicago, 1st row: Ervad (Dr) Kersey Antia (1st from l) with priests and children;
2nd row, from l: Jamshed Rivetna, Bahram Farhadieh, Rohinton Rivetna, Kayomarsh Mehta, Bomi Damkevala,
Pesi Vazifdar, Dilshad Antia, Hosi Mehta, Arnavaz Elavia, Dinaz Weber, Rayomand Ravji, Afshan Barshan;
last row: Zarin and Minoo Press (sitting, 3rd & 4th from l); entertainment by children
Their Dar-e-Mehr, inaugurated on September 3, 1983, "was the first one in North America that was constructed from the ground-up,” noted Roshan Rivetna who forwarded Parsiana a report of the celebratory function held on September 23, 2023 as also the history of the Association and the Dar-e-Mehr. ZAMC that will celebrate its golden jubilee next year serves over 700 Zoroastrians in the Chicago area. The impetus for the Dar-e-Mehr construction had come in 1980 from Arbab Rustam Guiv who offered USD 150,000 (Rs 1.24 crore) but sadly passed away before the edifice was built, leaving it to the Guiv Trust to honor his commitment.
In his presentation "Vision to Reality,” erstwhile ZAMC president Rohinton Rivetna recalled that land for the Dar-e-Mehr was purchased in 1981 at a cost of USD 50,000 (Rs 41.51 lakh) and the construction was completed the following year at a cost of USD 195,065 (Rs 1.62 crore). At the inauguration in 1983, attended by Dr Rostam Sarfeh and Khanum Morvarid Guiv of the Guiv Trust, they commented on the milestone accomplished with "the love and dedication of the Zoroastrian community of Chicago… The occasion was inspiring and unforgettable with so much unity and spiritual love in the air.”
The marble plaque in the foyer of the Dar-e-Mehr acknowledges the structure as "a memorial to the men, women and children whose inspiration, determination and courage manifested itself in the realization of this center, and is dedicated to their children who shall carry the torch of Zoroastrianism for future generations in North America.”
The gala ruby anniversary celebration "aimed to honor the past… and also to look to the future to meet the needs of our next generation and ensure the perpetuation of our faith and traditions,” noted a report of the event in the ZAMC newsletter. The evening commenced with a procession of mobeds accompanied by children carrying lighted divas to the tune of Rah-e-Zartosht. This was followed by a benediction by their head priest Ervad (Dr) Kersey Antia and recognition of the other mobeds. For their unwavering service to the community, Minoo and Zarin Press were presented the Lifetime Service Award. The gathering was familiarized with the Oral History project led by Zenobia Damania and Persis Driver who involve the youth in interviewing early Chicago residents.
The "Forty Years in Five Minutes” slide show by Farida and Farzin Sharyari and Sheroy Gonda encapsulated the events and programs undertaken by the Association. Children’s religion class, senior get-togethers, celebration of Navroz, gahanbars, jashans, muktads, participation in interfaith activities and community service in the form of food drive and clothes drive are their regular activities. This complemented the "Memory Table” that featured memorabilia like drawings, financial accounts, photo albums and more. Nearly two decades after the construction of the Dar-e-Mehr, the Chicago community expanded by building the Rivetna Hall and purchased the house next door.
In the segment on "Future Vision,” the youth came on stage one by one and expressed their wish list, primarily concerning better facilities for their classrooms and play area. Architect Cyrus Rivetna then presented future expansion plans that include improved amenities for children and a separate traditional dar-e-mehr building.
Along with Jamshed, all the presidents who had served ZAMC since its inception in 1975 were present at the celebrations: founder president Bahram Farhadieh, and succeeding presidents Rohinton, Kayomarsh Mehta, Bomi Damkevala, Pesi Vazifdar, Dilshad Antia, Hosi Mehta, Arnavaz Elavia, Dinaz Weber, Rayomand Ravji and Afshan Barshan. They were called up to cut the orange mandarin torte cake.
Contributing to the entertainment component was singer Ardavan Taraporewala from Toronto. Another popular item was the 1990s SNAZY (Sixth North American Zoroastrian Congress) Flashback that saw children perform the dance and gymnastic routines that their parents had performed 30 years prior. The grand finale was the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti by the ZAMC choir and the assembly led by Freya Dhunjisha before partaking of lagan nu bhonu.