Remembrance for Peace 2023

Remembrance for Peace 2023

by | Jul 31, 2023 | Other News

A Remembrance for Peace: Commemorating Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Film Screening and Interfaith Ceremony

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, 5:30 p.m.

Konko Church of San Francisco
1909 Bush Street, San Francisco’s Japantown

To commemorate the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, the first nuclear destruction of a civilian population in the world, the Nichi Bei Foundation and Friends of Hibakusha will present an in-person program at Konko Church in SF Japantown. The world’s first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and another on Nagasaki three days later resulted in the deaths of an estimated 214,000 people by the end of that year, including 140,000 in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki.

The program  will also be accessible virtually on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook channel (www.facebook.com/nichibei/) and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/c/NichiBeiFoundation)

The program will include:

• The film “Pictures From A Hiroshima Schoolyard” (2012, 58 min.), written and directed by Bryan Reichhardt and produced by Shizumi Shigeto Manale.

• An Interfaith Ceremony led by the Japanese American Religious Federation of San Francisco.

• Lanterns of Remembrance, which will include hibakusha and descendants presenting a lantern in remembrance of victims of the atomic bombings.

• A Message for Peace by Rev. Nobuaki Hanaoka.

• A Litany for Water ceremony led by Rev. Hanaoka and clergy.

Remembrance for Peace 2023 Program Preview

J-SEI participants interested in carpooling to this event in SF Japantown, please email jill@j-sei.org  We look forward to joining in this remembrance.

 

FILM: PICTURES FROM A HIROSHIMA SCHOOLYARD

A collection of surprisingly joyful drawings created by school children living among the ruins of Hiroshima in 1947 becomes the heart and soul of this true, inspiring story about an exchange of gifts between Americans and Japanese after a devastating war. This powerful documentary about reconciliation introduces the children artists  (now in their late 70s) who reflect on their early lives amidst the rubble of their destroyed city and the hope they shared through their art. In 2010, the newly restored drawings, buried for decades deep inside All Souls Church in Washington DC, are taken back to Japan where they are reunited with the artists and exhibited in the very building where they were created.

Wadi Foquin: A Microcosm of the Critical Moment for Palestine

Wadi Foquin: A Microcosm of the Critical Moment for Palestine

by | Jul 29, 2023 | Classes & Events

Wadi Foquin: A Microcosm of the Critical Moment for Palestine

Tuesday, August 15th
11:00 a.m. to 1p.m.

J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville, CA

Lunch will be available by pre-order. RSVP to Jill Shiraki at jill@j-sei.org and receive menu choices

Ata & Adam Manasra are father and son from the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin located in the Bethlehem District of the West Bank. They will speak about their life under the military occupation of Israel and their partnership with Friends of Wadi Foquin which supports community development projects,  annual pilgrimages to the Holy Land/Palestine, and international advocacy for the village.

Ata has been the liaison to the Friends of Wadi Foquin for over 10 years serving as tour guide for annual trips. For the past 3 years, Adam Manasra has led a young adult leadership team in Wadi Foquin providing online presentations about the challenges facing the people of his village.   At the age of 25, he provides perspective from a new generation of Palestinians during this tumultuous time in the region.

Event Co-Sponsors: Friends of Wadi Foquin, Berkeley JACL, Contra Costa JACL, J-Sei

Friends of Wadi Foquin was initiated by Buena Vista United Methodist Church in Alameda, Calif., with help from Janet Lahr Lewis, then UMC Liaison to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Trinity United Methodist Church, Berkeley Methodist United Church, other San Francisco Bay Area churches, and community members have joined the partnership since then, and a new project has been added every year. Friends of Wadi Foquin has worked to provide financial assistance for projects supporting the economic survival of the village, made annual visits to Wadi Foquin, and—as the village has come under increasing threat from settlement expansion—advocated for its survival on Capitol Hill.

 

KING OF KABAB

We will be ordering from KING OF KABAB, a local favorite restaurant. Pre-orders are available or bring your own bag lunch.

PLATE LUNCH $15 – Choose from the following options:

Kefta Kabab Plate – Ground lamb & Beef mixed, with parsley, red onion, served with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, rice and pita bread.

Chicken Shish Kabab Plate – Grilled skewer of marinated chicken cubes, served with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, rice and pita bread.

Stuffed Falafel Plate – Grilled onions, sesame served with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, rice and pita bread.

Lamb and Beef Gyro – Grilled onions, sesame served with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, rice and pita bread.

Chicken Shawarma Plate – Chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, tahini, rice and pita bread.

 

OR SALAD $13 – Choose protein side.

Chicken Shawrma, Lamb & Beef Gyro, Kefta Kabab, OR Falafel Salad

Served on Lettuce, with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, hummus & Italian dressing.

The pre-ordering for lunch is now closed. 

J-Sei at the Movies: Panel Discussion on AAPI Films

J-Sei at the Movies: Panel Discussion on AAPI Films

by | Jul 18, 2023 | Classes & Events

J-Sei Movie Night: What Is Asian American Cinema?

Friday, July 21, 2022 – 6:30 pm (on Zoom)

During the pandemic and the necessary shift to online Zooming, J-Sei Movie Night has been so fortunate to be joined by talented individuals in the film and TV industry who have so generously shared their time and expertise with us via Zoom. These professionals represent a range of media know-how and artistic creativity — directors, producers, cinematographers, actors, activists, and critics — working or commenting on feature-length films, shorts, documentaries, and TV series, and they have logged on from locations near and far, including Southern California, the East Coast, Hawaii, and Japan! This month’s Movie Night will be another great addition to that lineup.
 
On Friday, July 21, J-Sei Goes to the Movies to learn about Asian American Cinema past and present, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. We’ll hear from experts — scholars and programmers who are bringing Asian American cinema to a wide audience through film festivals, media, and written pieces on AAPI films and popular culture. Our panelists — Aram Siu Wai Collier, Brian Hu, and Oliver Wang — will engage in an informal discussion about a wide range of topics, such as: What exactly is Asian American Cinema? Are there trends emerging in the next generation of films? How is a film festival put together?
 
This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the Asian American shows and movies we love to watch. Please join us for a fun and enlightening evening!
 

RSVP with “July Movie Night” in the subject line.
We will send Zoom information prior to the July 21 event.

 

Meet Our Panelists

Aram Siu Wai Collier is a filmmaker, educator, and film festival programmer. He is currently the Artistic Director at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. His feature, documentary, and experimental films have played festivals across North America and internationally. Aram is a mixed-race Asian Canadian/American (Chinese and English/Dutch/German) originally from San Francisco native and is now based in Toronto, Canada.
 
Brian Hu is Associate Professor and Area Head in Television, Film, and New Media at San Diego State University. He’s also the Artistic Director of Pacific Arts Movement, producers of the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Beyond SDAFF, he has curated film programs for the Criterion Channel and the UCLA Film and Television Film Archive, and is the Asian film programmer for the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Along with Ada Tseng, he co-produces and co-hosts the Asian American film history podcast Saturday School.
 
Oliver Wang is a writer and scholar of Asian American popular culture. He’s a professor of sociology at CSU Long Beach and has written on everything from Filipino American DJ culture to Korean American food trucks to Chinese American cinema. He’s currently curator of the forthcoming JANM exhibit: Cruising J-Town: Japanese American Car Culture in Southern California. [Photograph by Joseph Philipson]

J-Sei Movie Night Bento – July 21

For movie night, you can order specially made obento from My Friend Yuji for pickup on Friday, July 21 in conjunction with Movie Night. Here are Chef Yuji’s mouth-watering offerings:

  • Pico de gallo hiyashi chuka: Cold ramen in a chicken/fish dashi with fresh summer tomatoes, herbs and shallots $18
  • Tekka don: Sliced cured tuna over sushi rice with wasabi and ginger $26
  • Fried kama set: Fried hamachi & salmon kama, salad and rice with a chili ponzu $40

Click on the button below to place your order. Pick up your meal at the selected pick-up time at J-Sei on Friday, July 21st. Please observe safety protocols when picking up your bento at J-Sei. Thank you!

MY FRIEND YUJI

To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click a bento and select the number you want to order; repeat with other bento if desired. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order. 

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies is in its Sixth Year! We look forward to more creative programming with educational and inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers and experts as we learn so much from the exchange.

We love having a growing and enthusiastic audience. We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for considering this.

J-Sei Chef Assistant (Part-Time)

by | Jul 14, 2023 | Employment Opportunities

J-Sei Chef Assistant (Part-Time)

(printable version)

Introduction

Join a wonderful community of amazing people working to help keep seniors in the area well nourished. J-Sei seeks a prep cook to assist with the preparation of Japanese lunches for our fast-growing senior congregate and home-delivered meal program.

This part-time position is located at J-Sei, Inc. 1285 66th Street, Emeryville, CA. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment under the direct supervision of the chef. This is a non-exempt position that does include vacation/sick time benefits and a 75% employer contribution towards your health care insurance premium if you select a health plan within J-Sei’s benefits package.

Responsibilities

  • Days/times of shifts may vary, must be flexible.
  • Works to prepare ingredients for lunch service and maintain a clean, orderly, and sanitized kitchen.
  • Working and communicating within a team and multiple volunteers.
  • Must have general understanding of food preparation fundamentals and have proficient knife-handling skills.
  • Must be able to work independently and follow a prep list.
  • Must be able to wash, peel, and chop fruits and vegetables according to the specifications of the chef.
  • Must be able to lift over 40 pounds on a regular basis.
  • Know and comply consistently with food safety and sanitation guidelines.
  • Must have, or will attain within the first month of hire ServSafe Food Handlers Card. Training is provided.
  • Other duties as requested by the Chef.

Kitchen Facility Management

  • Maintain kitchen in a safe and clean manner consistent with county health standards
  • Notify supervisor of any supply, equipment or maintenance needs.

Qualifications 

  • Minimum one-year of kitchen experience in a restaurant or institutional kitchen.
  • Strong communication, listening and people skills necessary to project and promote the J-Sei mission to seniors, volunteers, and general community.
  • Experience working independently.
  • Ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions and maintain composure in a fast-paced unpredictable environment.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple day-to-day operations in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to stand and walk for an extended period of time.
  • Ability to reach, bend, and frequently lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Regularly required to use hands and frequent washing of hands.

    Reporting Relationship

    • The Chef provides overall supervision of the position. Evaluations are conducted by the Chef and Senior Services Manager.

    Status

    • Part time, 30 hours per week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays except observed Holidays.)
    • Non-exempt (FSLA)
    • $23.10/hour
    • 75% Employer Contribution towards Health Care Insurance

      PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TO Kathleen Wong at kathleen@j-sei.org

       

      (printable version)