HTS Fundraiser - Tech Classes!!

7/5/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Summer weather! We would like to thank you for helping us wrap up a great Balvihar year. Thanks to our teachers, we were able to increase our teaching classes and fun quotient to make the best out of the virtual learning. We will update you about the 2020-21 Balvihar year in a few weeks!.

We at Balvihar will keep you in the loop regarding all the opportunities our students can utilize to make the best of their summer time. If you are considering to encourage your children to learn Coding, Python, Html or other skills, our own Religion 1 teacher and Balvihar Alumni, Uma Purani is conducting online classes starting from this Monday, 6th July! This is a fundraiser for Hindu Temple Society by providing Tech Education at a low cost of $21 for an entire course. Every $ will be matched and donated to HTS. No prerequisites required to start learning! Please click on the link given below for the flyer and registration information.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U73i0TQmMA583msMFLRK7Y5f8gZEr57z/view?usp=sharing

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

HTS Balvihar Annual Day Honoring Fathers

7/5/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

HTS Balvihar successfully completed another year of Bhaasha and Dharma classes for this season. Finals are done and its time for our Annual Day. With the new normal that we are living, we will still strive to celebrate our topic for Annual Day 2020. Fathers. Pitaah, Pitru, Appa, Baapu, Dad. Our spines, our role models, our beacons. This weekend being the Father's day celebration, please join your language and Religion classes to honor your Dad using your knowledge of Bhaasha and Dharma to let Dad's know how special they are!

Where else would we look up to but in Ramayana to seek how devotedly Lord Shri Raama gives up on the luxuries and rights to a kingdom to keep the honor of his father! Bheeshma in Mahabharata did the same! Strong, ideal men with values and principles show us that respecting our fathers means following our leader. The greatest leaders are in true sense, great followers.

We at HTS Balvihar, deeply thank all the Fathers, Grandfathers and Father figures who in their footsteps are raising beautiful humans for the next generation. As Volunteers, Teachers and homework helpers you bring a spark in your kids eyes! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Mother's Day Sunday May 9th 2020

7/5/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,
We are expecting Snow Mid May! Besides that, there is something extra special this weekend, it is Mother's day! In honor of all the Moms at Balvihar, we are scheduling a brief virtual class to celebrate your special hero!

Your teachers must have reached out to you regarding an activity, picture challenge or brief session to highlight your love for your Ma! We encourage you to make it about all her all weekend!! Maybe a bouquet out of colored coffee filter, string up a garland out of construction paper, make her breakfast, sing her songs, sit down with old pictures, videos and tell her in many words and kisses about how much she means to you!

This Quarantine Mother's Day should make your Ma feel blessed to have her family with her! Make sure to connect with your Daadi and Naani!
Our Scriptures, our Dharma has always put Mother at the highest pedestal. We may pay back Guru's fees, reciprocate one's Father's upbringing by taking care of them in their old age and even impress Bhagwan with Bhakti but a debt you can never repay or match is what a Mother does for her child!

We would love to see pictures of what you have planned and created for your mom this weekend, if you wish, you may share them with us in our Balvihar Religion & Language Whats app groups or Email at HTSBalvihar@Gmail.com!

We wish you and your mom a very Happy Mother's Day! Jai Mata Di!

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

May 3 2020 HTS Balvihar

7/5/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

Thank you all for such a great response to our Virtual Charity Drive! You all are such warm hearts and loving families! We pray that Bhagwan keeps your family safe!

Month of May for Balvihar usually means Finals, Annual Day Prep and excitement of knowing that School year is coming to an end. However things are going differently this year, and it is a sign of maturity if we can be flexible to the changes that come our way.

In the last 2 months, we have read Covid Comics, reconnected with our friends on screen, filled Time Capsule to record our lives during these times, played online games with teachers, made arts and crafts and even used our time to donate money, sew masks and pray for our heroes! But we all still need some self care. It is normal to feel anxious and unsure. Hindu Temple Society and your teachers at Balvihar are doing all we can to bring Spirituality in to your home.

This Sunday, after your Virtual Session with Language Teachers, please connect with Guru Suryaji from Arsha GuruKulam for a talk regarding "How To Cope During The Crisis". This is the zoom link.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77251447984?pwd=SDJGeXY3dmQ2c2JjZkdRTzdYRUJkdz09
Meeting ID: 772 5144 7984
Password: HTSNOW

At Balvihar, In our stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Dashavatara, Krishna Leela, we have heard of how Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Ma Sita, Hanumanji have dealt with problems and felt lost. Their exiles were very long, their struggles were hard but the righteous always win. There are small or big losses along the way and we use them as reminders for future.

These theological stories serve a purpose, they mirror our strength and remind us of who we are! We are capable of much more than we know. Believe in yourself!

When you join the session, You will be muted upon arrival to the session. Kindly maintain the mute button. Guruji will introduce himself, guide us through Aarti, the talk and invite for Q&A Satsangh. During this time, you may type questions that arise in your minds using the Chat box and we will ask it on your behalf. We look forward to the same amount of spontaneity and curiosity that you have during Satsangh at Temple on Sunday afternoons!

In order to bring all Balvihar together and benefit the guidance, We will not have Religion Classes this Sunday as this session will fulfill its purpose. If you already have questions that you were mulling on, you may email it to us at HTSBalvihar@Gmail.com. Thank you.

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Apr 26 2020 Akshaya Tritiya

4/25/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

Hope you are doing well! Our Balvihar is doing very well with the virtual sessions and all the credit goes to the excited students and wonderful teachers who have adjusted and flourished so well! April 26th Akshaya Tritiya was going to be our field trip to either Jain Temple, Sikh Gurudwara or any other place of worship so that we may learn more and enrich ourselves. But we have all learned that we can take a pause and detour within ourselves to start a wellness approach.

We start a family, bring kids in to this fold and teach them what we know of life. We improvise, evolve and grow along with our children. Whether we appreciate our time tested culture or adapt to new ways, the commonality is that we believe in the universal goodness. Share, Love, Accept, Kindness. We all want our families to do well, grow and spread more goodness in the world. We want a beautiful world for our children to grow in.

With that as our cornerstone, HTS Balvihar has planned a Charity Drive. Our 15 Balvihar graduates have been given handful of contacts of Balvihar Families and one of these young students will be giving you a call. They will request you to donate an amount of your choice, payable to Hindu Temple Society by using the http://www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org/ and clicking on the Donate button on the right hand side of your screen. Follow these instructions * Donate thru the website as usual, with a valid email that you use often.
* You will receive an automated email confirmation of the amount.
* Please forward this email to HTSTreasury@gmail.com, and copy HTSBalvihar@gmail.com.

You may also reach out to our HTS Treasurers or Panditji if you prefer.
Treasurers Shri. Venkat Balabhadra 610 850 5810. Shri. Shankar Nataraj 610 360 8755.
Priest - Shri. Anandji Shastrigal 512 545 9657.
They have the authority to accept credit card information and fulfill the transaction on behalf of HTS. Alternatively you might mail us a check at Hindu Temple Society 4200 Airport Road, Allentown 18109. After you have completed the donation, Kindly email us at HTSBalvihar@gmail.com to confirm that you made a donation so we can keep proper records.

We deeply appreciate your support and need your help to collaborate and lend a helping hand. All proceeds go equally to Sewa International who are doing a phenomenal job right now on behalf of all Indian Americans.Lehigh Valley Sikhs who are going above and beyond to provide groceries, masks and other essential items to the families suffering as well as Parkland Food Pantry who have doubled their work in the last 2 months.

Your support also encourages our Balvihar Graduates to learn that when we are in any kind of crisis, we are always there to guide and support them. So please be patient with them!
How we behave during times of distress shows the children our values. A lot of our Balvihar Families are already supporting many organizations as volunteers, donors and supporters. We thank you, admire you and follow you. Let us make this Akshaya Tritiya day the one that really counts!

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Hindu Temple Society Balvihar Salutes These Warriors

4/4/2020

To our Healthcare workers, First Responders, and Essential caretakers...

Chaitra Navaratri March 29th 2020

4/4/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

We are currently in the auspicious days of Spring's nine days of Devi Celebrations, Chaitra Navaratri. At the start of these 9 days is Yugadi/Ugadi/Gudi Padwa/Chetti Chand/Bihu/Navreh which is celebrated for the start of a new Samvatsara. This is according to the Lunar Calendar.

We also celebrate Shri Raama Navami on April 2nd as well as Hanuman Janmotsava on April 8th. In the midst of such blessed celebrations, we have the opportunity to be able to focus, chant, and understand the message of the epic that these festivals are based on.

The five elements that humanity needs to thrive on are called Pancha Mahabhoot. They are Space - Aakash, Air -Vaayu, Fire - Agni, Water - Jal and Earth - Bhoomi. Our theology considers these as Devatas and Bhoomi as a Devi. Our existence depends on treating them with respect. Our journey on this planet is best optimized when we only consume our share and create opportunities for others to share as well. According to Ayurveda, Pancha Bhoota is associated with the overall health of human being. According to Yoga, the aim of keeping focus is to have mastery over oneself. This mastery can be achieved by mastering all the basic elements.

Now we have a chance to introspect how we need these Five elements, and how understanding each other's needs is necessary. Navaratri is the best time of the year to lean on Ayurveda and Yoga. Here are few tips to make your time enhanced.

Schedule your week with few definite items. Study, work, cooking, sleep.
Schedule Family time. Board games, discussing your day, Aarti, Chant, Karaoke.
"Un schedule" your free time and respect each other's need for space.
Aim. Those things that you never had time to do, now is the time!
Gratitude. Thank your health care providers, Local Grocery provider in some way.

E Learning :
We have received feedback from all teachers that families across Balvihar are using our E - Learning transformation well. Whether it is through emails, whats app chat, Zoom sessions, or Phone conference, we are all doing our best! Thank you. A Huge thank you to our superlative teachers who are doing an extraordinary job of volunteering and spreading the light of knowledge! Did you reach out to your teachers and show them you care?

Satsangh : How do you we enrich our community while staying in the safety of our own homes? We all know that good Karma, Karuna makes us better people. That has always been the main message of our Satsangh sessions. If you are interested in joining our team, then we have few things you can join in.

Send us the names of your family, friends, neighbors who are currently busy helping us in Health, Food, Police, Transportation services and keeping our society working. These heroes deserve recognition and our prayers. We plan to make a list of all these amazing people and acknowledge their Seva. Email us at HTSBalvihar@Gmail.Com.

We are committed to Parkland Food pantry, Hindu Temple Society Balvihar contributed $1000 this month on all of our behalf. We would like to do a Charity Drive soon and request you to commit any amount you can. $5, $10 so that our neighborhood families who are struggling to make ends meet may have their basic needs met.
By participating in these two opportunities, you will create Goodwill, Punya and inspire your kids to know that in times of uncertainty, we can still choose to do the right thing.

Sending you all love, regards and positive vibes! Namaste.

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Comics For Our Balvihar Kids! Let Us Be Proactive!

3/12/2020

Namaste,

For the benefit of Prevention and Awareness for our Balvihar Families, here is a link to the comics circulated by Indian Govt. Please click on the link below and share with your family!

Prevention and Awareness Comic

Cyber March Classes At Balvihar!

3/11/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

A strong mind and will power is capable of healing itself faster than other. With that positive note, Balvihar would like to announce that we are conducting all our March classes of 15th, 22nd and 29th using Cyber tools.

Social Distancing is the new word of the moment. Which means that in order to protect ourselves and others, we should enforce not having large gatherings. CDC and WHO are updating their protocol as they test and find out more information, so we should do our best to follow their guidelines.
Spring season brings with it allergies and flu, this makes it harder for us to recognize what symptoms we might be going through. This also requires for us to keep our interaction with others to a minimum so that we may recognize our symptoms and take immediate care. Lehigh Valley Hospital has test kits, so please feel assured.

What is Cyber Study?
Your child's teacher will reach out to you with the study material before this Sunday, we request you to check and then share it with your child. It will help greatly if you can sit with them and make your child feel involved. Once they study the material or video, Your child is expected to do the homework. You are then requested to email the hw back to the teacher. Your teacher will grade it and respond. This cycle will repeat every week of this month as we had classes every Sunday of this month.

Why are we doing this instead of cancelling classes?
March is when we gear up our Balvihar syllabus so that students may focus on PSSA during April. This also helps with continuity and preparing for Finals in May. Cancelling will make students loose track of what was taught up until now. Most importantly, if on Sundays our kids study Language & Theology they will focus on something positive, interesting and not be over thinking about the situation outside.

What should I do if I do not see any emails from teachers?
You should be getting two emails per student. One from Language teacher, other from Religion teacher. If you are not seeing that, first reach out to the teacher and confirm your email id. You should not leave it for your child to do the communication. Please do not call or whatsapp the teacher as this will compound the communications. If for some reason you do not get response from them, you may email us at HTSBalvihar@gmail.com.

Any other questions of concerns, please feel free to Email us and we will help. As always remember Prayers, faith in positive outcome and discussing with family makes things simpler and better.

Use Science to talk to your kids, this makes them trust us and take proper measure. Use Prayers to guide them. Kids should learn to meditate, be mindful and find their own inner strength. Listening to Shiva Ashtakam, VishnuSahasranama chant, Hanuman Chalisa during Aarti or on Alexa can be a fun way of creating healthy vibes around the house and minds! Pouring water over Shiv Linga brings oneness to your being.
Visualization of one getting better, staying strong has been known to help in remedial process. Keep your faith in Bhagwan and Science!

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Postponing Balvihar Bowling

3/11/2020

View this email in your browser

Namaste,

We would like to inform all families of HTS Balvihar that Balvihar Bowling will be postponed to Summer 2020! Our location for Bowling is a public one that is used by people and we are not sure if the management of this place would be taking all cleaning and hygiene precautions necessary for our kids to be safe.

Balvihar Picnic sounds much more fun and it will give all our families a chance to meet in Summer! We have always heard our Balvihar students suggest that they wish we would meet at least once in summer so that they can have fun with their friends! So we are taking all the suggestions, concerns and questions seriously and making this decision.

Please talk to your kids no matter how young they are about precautions, hydration and eating healthy. Kindly keep yourself and family at home if you are not feeling well. Follow World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Center for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html information when you have questions.

Most important factor is stress. Our curiosity should want us to take measures but we should not make our immunity suffer. So follow basic rules of cleanliness, get together with family in evenings and do Aarti, watch funny videos, sing songs and show your family love and compassion.

This will strengthen your family's support system and keep your hormones strong and healthy. Prayers have been proved to improve mood. So let us all say

Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*