News

Now more than ever, we’re so grateful to the Zoroastrian community that has funded, volunteered, celebrated, and advocated for the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) throughout the years. At a time today, when everything feels uncertain, we hope you will find comfort and encouragement knowing that you care about your community, your organization, your beliefs, customs and religious practices.

While much of the world has stopped, our mission to serve the Zarthushti community will not be placed on pause. Since the pandemic started, all ZSO volunteers have stepped up to the plate, with online activities from the Seniors to the youth, from the Priests to all.

ZSO has steadfastly followed and complied with the guidelines of the Provincial Government and the Public Health authorities to contain the spread of the Corona-virus pandemic. 
The partial and full closure and lockdown at the Mehraban Guiv Darbe Mehr, has had a devastating effect on the financial resources of ZSO. Major income generating events have been affected by the pandemic. The Fasli Muktad, Jamshedi Nowrooz celebrations, Shenshai Muktad, Khordad Saal to name a few which all switched to online streaming. This has had a devastating blow on foot traffic at the Darbe Mehr, donations, collections in the safe etc.

Irrespective of the closure, ZSO has had to maintain and pay for all day to day running expenses, like the Caretaker salary, supplies, heat, hydro, cleaning, taxes, building repair and maintenance, grass cutting and lawn-maintenance, snow removal and salting, removing fallen trees, additional expenses for technology resources to provide live-streaming, online events, etc. This year, as committed, we have also completed the replacement of the aging linoleum flooring in the main hall with the beautiful tiling that is ready for the community to enjoy for many years to come, once we are able to safely re-open our doors. In addition, to meet Public Health requirements, we had to engage outside cleaning personnel to regularly clean and disinfect areas used including washrooms during our reduced operating hours.

That’s why your Board has decided to reach out to our community with this appeal for your financial support at this critical time. As an initial goal, we hope to reach $10,000 by the end of January, 2021. As the safest, simplest, and most effective way to support ZSO, your donation can help us as we adapt to ever-changing circumstances due to COVID-19.

While all of us are facing great challenges at this time, we hope that you can find some peace and comfort knowing that your generosity will be directed to a good cause for your organization. That shining holy place of worship, our Darbe Mehr, will always be there for you and your families.

Donations can be made online at https://www.zso.org/Donate (please select NO to the question "Donation to the FEZANA Professorship at U of T" if your donation is for ZSO’s Operational Cost use) or complete the manual donation form provided on the website or Newsletter, with cheques made payable to the "ZOROASTRIAN SOCIETY OF ONTARIO" and mailed to the MGDM, attention: ZSO Treasurer. All online and cheque donations in excess of $20 will be provided with a tax receipt; online donors will receive the same by email immediately upon completing the donation. No donation is too small and all monies collected will be directed to the upkeep of your Darbe Mehr. You can consider a one-time donation, or monthly payments, if that works best for you.

Your Darbe Mehr has been a shining beacon there for you during happy times and family events like navjotes, weddings, religious celebrations, religious education, Scouts, Seniors events and the like as also for solemn occasions for death and Muktad prayers.

Now the Darbe Mehr and your ZSO is hoping to kindle the fire in you to support your Darbe Mehr and your shining place of worship in this hour of need.

Needless to add, we truly appreciate your support through your ZSO membership. We urge you to renew your membership each year - its simple and quick to do On-line by using your secure login here and encourage your family and friends to join ZSO; now is the time! Please visit:

https://www.zso.org/join-us

We look forward to the community's support to help ZSO through this challenging time and emerge stronger together to carry out our Society's objectives well into the future.

Thank you.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Mashya Amroliwalla 
President
Zoroastrian Society of Ontario

Nov 25, 2020

With the evolving COVID-19 Pandemic and rising cases, the city of Toronto is in a lockdown. Keeping the health and safety of our custodian and members as top priority, as well as following the changes under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) for places of worship and the specific conditions which include limiting capacity and ensuring that public health measures are followed such as face coverings, physical distancing and environmental cleaning and disinfecting, the ZSO Board of Directors has decided to CLOSE the Mehraban Guiv Darb e Meher (MGDM) until further notice. 

MGDM is CLOSED effective immediately.

All upcoming visits to MGDM are cancelled with the exception of any death prayers with a limited capacity of 10 people including the priest and custodian.  These bookings MUST be booked by contacting Hoofrish Patel (evp@zso.org).

We thank you for your patience and appreciate your cooperation.

When visiting the MGDM please be reminded of the following mandatory requirements and guidelines:

• Use the online self-assessment tool before every visit to the MGDM
• Wearing a non-medical mask/face covering is mandatory
• Bring your own prayer book and head covering
• Refrain from bringing Sukhar, loban or other prayer related items from home
• Maintain a social distance of two meters/six feet
• Follow entry and exit signs
• Social gatherings, including those that occur before or after a prayer service remains suspended
• Avoid opportunities for the virus to spread through touch, either directly or indirectly through surfaces and objects, including objects that may be used in rituals or ceremonies

Suspended Services

• Drop in visits
• Social gatherings, including those that occur before or after a prayer service remains suspended
• Navjote, weddings and other close contact activities
• Consumption of food and drink remains suspended
• Indoor singing, use of instruments and choir service
• Sharing and distribution of materials and objects such as books, scarves, caps, water, etc.

Nov 18, 2020

With the evolving COVID-19 Pandemic and rising cases, the city of Toronto is listed in the Red Zone. Keeping the health and safety of our custodian and members as top priority, as well as following the changes under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) for places of worship and the specific conditions which include limiting capacity and ensuring that public health measures are followed such as face coverings, physical distancing and environmental cleaning and disinfecting, the ZSO Board of Directors has decided to revise the MGDM visiting hours. 

MGDM revised hours of operations effective immediately are: 

Saturday 9am - 12pm 

All visits to MGDM remain by appointment only and MUST  be booked at least 24 hours in advance, by contacting Hoofrish Patel (evp@zso.org) and receiving her confirmation. Please note if you do not have an appointment/confirmation your entry will be denied.

We thank you for your patience and appreciate your cooperation.

When planning a visit to the MGDM please be reminded of the following mandatory requirements and guidelines:

• Use the online self-assessment tool before every visit to the MGDM
• Wearing a non-medical mask/face covering is mandatory
• Bring your own prayer book and head covering
• Refrain from bringing Sukhar, loban or other prayer related items from home
• Maintain a social distance of two meters/six feet
• Follow entry and exit signs
• Social gatherings, including those that occur before or after a prayer service remains suspended
• Avoid opportunities for the virus to spread through touch, either directly or indirectly through surfaces and objects, including objects that may be used in rituals or ceremonies

Suspended Services

• Social gatherings, including those that occur before or after a prayer service remains suspended
• Navjote and other close contact activities
• Consumption of food and drink remains suspended
• Indoor singing, use of instruments and choir service
• Sharing and distribution of materials and objects such as books, scarves, caps, water, etc.

Disclaimers and resources:

“All visits to the MGDM are voluntary and at the visitor’s own discretion. Visitors must comply with applicable guidelines including limits on numbers, wearing of masks and physical distancing. All visitors are responsible for their own health & safety as well as respecting the health & safety of those around them.” 
"Visitors must self-screen with the ZSO volunteer present when entering the MGDM at each visit. The volunteer will record the date, their name and contact information (phone and/or email) and that will only be used for contact tracing for COVID-19 purposes and will only be kept on file for 30 days.”

Click on the image to see the menu and order form.

The city of Toronto has entered stage 3 of the provincial reopening on Friday July 31^st.   As a result of this announcement, we are in Stage 3 of reopening by following the changes under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) for places of worship with some specific conditions. These conditions include limiting capacity and ensuring that public health measures are followed such as face coverings, physical distancing and environmental cleaning and disinfecting.  

 Click here or visit the COVID-19 Updates section for more details regarding the upcoming Shahenshahi Farvardegan days (Agu 11th - 15th).

The city of Toronto is preparing to oversee the safe restart of more businesses and services following the Province of Ontario’s announcement as it entered stage 3 of the provincial reopening on Friday July 31^st.   As a result of this announcement, we are in Stage 3 of reopening by following the changes under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) for places of worship with some specific conditions. Click here or visit the COVID-19 Updates section for more details.

Farvardegan Prayers Schedule

August 11^th – 16^th, 2020

Live Streamed via ZSO YouTube Channel

August 11, 2020:

7:00 AM - Morning Satum (Click here)

7:30 AM - Afringan and Farokshi (Click here)

11:30 AM - Afternoon Satum (Click here)

7:00 PM - Evening Satum (Click here)

August 12, 2020:

7:00 AM - Morning Satum (Click here)

7:30 AM - Afringan and Farokshi (Click here)

11:30 AM - Afternoon Satum (Click here)

7:00 PM - Evening Satum (Click here)

August 13, 2020:

7:00 AM - Morning Satum (Click here)

7:30 AM - Afringan and Farokshi (Click here)

11:30 AM - Afternoon Satum (Click here)

7:00 PM - Evening Satum (Click here)

August 14, 2020:

7:00 AM - Morning Satum (Click here)

7:30 AM - Afringan and Farokshi (Click here)

11:30 AM - Afternoon Satum (Click here)

7:00 PM - Evening Satum (Click here)

August 15, 2020:

8:00 AM - Morning Satum (Click here)

8:30 AM - Afringan and Farokshi (Click here)

11:30 AM - Afternoon Satum (Click here)

7:00 PM - Evening Satum (Click here)

August 16, 2020:

4:15 AM - Night Afringan and Satum (Click here) - This prayer is a live stream ONLY

All visits to the MGDM will be by appointment only and MUST be booked in advance, a minimum 24 hours prior to the day of the visit, by contacting Afreed Mistry (EVP@zso.org) and receiving her confirmation. 

Please note if you do not have an appointment/confirmation your entry will be denied.

The provincial Government has established guidelines to gradually reopen the province and ease restrictions in communities where it is safe to do so. We have entered Stage 2 of reopening by following the changes under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) for places of worship with some specific conditions. These conditions include limiting capacity and ensuring that public health measures are followed such as face coverings, physical distancing and environmental cleaning and disinfecting.

As we cautiously and gradually plan the reopening, participation in religious services is increased from 10 to 15 people including the priest, additionally now the MGDM will be open for drop in visits with revised hours of operation and protocols to follow.

The MGDM revised hours of operations starting, July 21, 2020 are;

• Tuesday 4pm - 8pm
• Saturday 9am - 12pm

All visits to the MGDM will be by appointment only and MUST be booked 24 hours in advance, prior to the day of the visit by contacting Afreed Mistry (evp@ZSO.org) and receiving her confirmation. Please note if you do not have an appointment/confirmation your entry will be denied.

We thank you for your patience and appreciate your cooperation as we gradually and safely reopen, keeping the safety of our custodian and the community at large as the top priority. 

Click here for more details on reopening of Faith Based Organizations in the City of Toronto

There will continue to be NO gatherings allowed at the MGDM in keeping with the Government of Ontario’s orders. The in-person attendance for prayers at the MGDM is now increased to 10 people ONLY including the priest(s) and must be arranged in advance by contacting Afreed Mistry (evp@zso.org).

Any additional people will NOT be allowed to enter the premises.

For more information on Ontario prohibiting gatherings for more than five people with strict exceptions and further updates visit the site here. 

Stay Home, Be Safe and Save Lives.

Please stay tuned, as we’re working diligently for the next steps of reopening including drop in visits to the Darb-e-Mehr.

Darbe Mehr Major Initiatives – Landscaping

The Board in conjunction with the ZSO House & Garden committee are moving forward with the next major initiative to update the Darbe Mehr.  The Landscaping project is now in the Request For Quote stage. 

Details of the RFQ including the scope of the project are in the attached spreadsheet. 

The deadline for submission of all quotes is May 31^st, 2020. 

The RFQ will also be sent via email to the community and we welcome any and all referrals for this work.  Please direct any questions or comments to secretary@zso.org.

ZSO Board of Directors and H&G Committee

ZSO_DM_Landscaping_RFQ.xlsx