We Are Not Strangers, Josh Tuininga with guest Flora Ninomiya

by | Apr 23, 2025 | Featured, Other News

 

We Are Not Strangers book talk

with Josh Tuininga and guest speaker Flora Ninomiya

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 11 am

 

Jewish Arts & Bookfest

UC Berkeley Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life

2121 Allston Way, Berkeley

 

Author Josh Tuininga traces his family’s Sephardic roots as they flee their home in Turkey, discover opportunities in America, and forge a new community in the multicultural neighborhood of the Seattle Central District. Through a visually rich presentation, Tuininga will share his creative process and research, weaving together narratives of Jewish and Japanese communities united by resilience and allyship during the turbulence of wartime.

Tuininga will be joined by special guest speaker Flora Ninomiya, who will share her powerful family history—from the hardships they faced during World War II and their incarceration, to the extraordinary support they received from a neighbor, who maintained their greenhouse in their absence which allowed the family to rebuild their floral business after the war.

This program is presented in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.For more information, visit the Jewish Arts & BookFest page on the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life website.

J-Sei’s Spring 2025 Newsletter

J-Sei’s Spring 2025 Newsletter

by | Apr 22, 2025 | News

J-Sei Spring 2025 newsletter is out now. Our quarterly print and digital newsletter not only provides information on current and upcoming classes, programs, and events, but also gives you updates that range from general J-Sei news, staff and board of director additions, yearly events, in memoriums, and tips relating to aging in our “Case Manager’s Corner.”

In this issue:

  • J-Sei Executive Director Diane Wong is selected to be in the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame
  • Asian American Heritage Month “Give in May” Fundraising Campaign
  • Remembering Alan Maeda
  • Welcoming Jane and Kevin back to the Board
  • Welcoming Hanna to the J-Sei team
  • J-Sei on CBS and KQED
  • Hiring: Senior Nutrition Manager
  • Staff contacts
  • Save the dates for upcoming events 
Read the Spring Newsletter
For past issues, please visit our resources page. If you are interested in signing up to receive our newsletter either by mail or by e-mail, please contact Suzanne Otani at suzanne@j-sei.org.
Help us find J-Sei’s next Executive Director

Help us find J-Sei’s next Executive Director

by | Apr 7, 2025 | Employment Opportunities, News, Other News

We are excited to launch the search for J-Sei’s next Executive Director—a strategic, community-rooted leader to guide the organization through its next chapter.
J-Sei is a multigenerational, multicultural organization based in Emeryville, providing culturally responsive senior services, caregiver support, wellness, and cultural programs across Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

The next ED will lead in implementation of the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, strengthen partnerships, and ensure J-Sei’s long-term sustainability.

Ideal candidates have:
• 7–10+ years of nonprofit/community leadership (ideally in aging services)
• Strong fundraising and operational skills
• Deep appreciation for Japanese American, Asian American, and/or intergenerational
communities

We are partnering with NPAG, a national talent search firm, on this search. You can find the position description attached or here: https://www.npag.com/j-sei-ed

We’d love your nominations, thoughts, or help sharing the opportunity. Feel free to reach out to Phuong Quach phuong@npag.com or Danielle Higa danielle@npag.com from NPAG directly.

Japanese Movie Night – April 2025

Japanese Movie Night – April 2025

by | Apr 1, 2025 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At The Movies (on Zoom)
Friday, April 11, 6:30 pm

J-Sei Movie Night is dedicated to the wonderful and fascinating world of Japanese cinema, as well as Japanese American and AAPI films!

Join us on Friday, April 11, to watch and discuss the second film in the Samurai Trilogy by renowned director Yamada Yōji: THE HIDDEN BLADE / 隠し剣 鬼の爪 (2004) starring Nagase Masatoshi (Mystery Train; An) and Matsu Takako (Long Vacation; Hero) as a samurai and a household maid caught up in the waning years of the Tokugawa shogunate and on the verge of a new world. Winner for Best Art Direction at the Japan Academy Awards, this breathtaking movie is filled with period and location detail and characters that embody Yamada’s vision of the samurai genre.

If you would like to join us, please RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Apr movie night” in the subject line to receive Zoom info prior to the event.

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

Please check back to see if Chef Yuji has a bento offering this month!
 
 
 
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 Tock webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click on an item and select the number you want to order, then click “Add”; repeat with other items if desired. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order, then 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 Eighth 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 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.