The Tibetan Community School of New York & New Jersey

Our Mission is the survival of Tibetan culture and identity and to enhance the quality of life for all Tibetans living in the community and worldwide. In addition, we believe that:

The continuity of Tibetan faith and identity is paramount. Tibet belongs to Tibetans, and is the home of Tibetan Buddhism and a zone of peace. It is incumbent upon all Tibetans to help one another and to support the community. The community and its members must spread the teachings of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, with particular emphasis on kindness and compassion. We must appreciate and accept diversity in our community. It is important to generate awareness of Tibet’s dire situation and work tirelessly to seek help from outside the community.

We can achieve our mission and objectives by:

Instituting integrated and effective planning, fundraising and fund allocating processes that most efficiently meet community needs. Coordinating and supporting Tibetan projects. Supporting educational, cultural and religious programs. Building strong relationships, both inside and outside the Tibetan community. Creating and organizing awareness campaigns. Organizing events that will allow members to connect and reach out to one another. Being accountable to members of our community.

Founded in 1996, Tibetan Culture and Language School is the most successful initiative undertaken by the organization. Tibetan children attend classes during the weekends to learn Tibetan language, culture and performing arts. At present there are 140 students attending school from the tri-state are, and we have 12 volunteer teacher – nine teachers who teach Tibetan language and three who teach Tibetan music and dance.

Performing Arts Classes Tibetan children learn song, dance and music as part of the curriculum. More advanced students join Chulsum Tibetan Dance Group, whose performances are a highlight at cultural events and holidays.

If your organization would like to have Tibetan children or Chulsum perform at your function, please contact Mr. Tenzin Wangyal, Director of Culture, at (201) 845-6384.

Community Social Services Our organization performs various community services by reaching out to needy Tibetans in our area. As our organization becomes more self reliant, we intend to also contribute to projects and initiate new ones in deprived Tibetan settlements in other parts of the world.

If you need assistance or know of any Tibetan that need our help and support, please contact us.

Tibetan Community Center We also intend to open a Tibetan community center that all Tibetans can call home in New York. It will be a place to hold community functions, language and culture school, day care center, and can also house offices of our sister organization, Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association.

TC NY&NJ host the following annual events:

Tibetan Losar (New Year) His Holiness The 14 th Dalai Lama’s birthday celebration Anniversary of the conferment of Noble Peace Prize to His Holiness The 14 th Dalai Lama

In addition to these three functions held every year, TC NY&NJ will also host other events and functions when necessary. These functions are a joy to attend and are well received by the entire community. These events are a forum for member to connect with one another and also to welcome new members of the community. Please visit our news and events site to get more detail on upcoming events.

Awareness Campaigns TC NY&NJ is dedicated to preserving our unique cultural heritage, which is on the verge of extinction in Tibet because of the Chinese government’s systemic efforts to rid any signs of Tibet’s unique identity and independence. We are actively reaching out to state and local government official and the general public through various channels to raise awareness of the plight of Tibetans in Tibet.

Outreach In order to achieve its mission, TC NY&NJ works with various organization within the US and globally as well. We will co-ordinate, support and co-host programs that meet our objectives with different organization. Some of the organizations we work especially close with are the following:

Office of Tibet, New York Regional Tibetan Youth Congress – New York and New Jersey Tibetan Women’s Association – New York and New Jersey Regional Tibetan Associations Tibet Fund Tibet House NYANA

For more information visit www.tcnynj.org

by Reviewer