Chair Fit – New class offering in September

Chair Fit – New class offering in September

by | Aug 18, 2025 | Classes & Events

Chair Fit – a new class at J-Sei

Tuesdays in September – 10:30 – 11:00 am

Join us for a 30-minute engaging workout for the mind and body from a chair. Incorporating physical and cognitive activities, instructor Midori Lambert provides positive social interaction for seniors.  This class is geared for seniors who have limited standing stamina and agility.  We welcome caregivers to attend to learn exercises that can be practiced one on one at home. This first offering will be held for 4 consecutive Tuesdays on September 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Midori is a certified personal trainer and a coach, who has been training people of all ages and abilities from young athletes to young at heart.  Midori introduced Brain Balance and Body Work, a new wellness program to J-Sei community members. Chair-Fit is an extension of this program.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org  Limited space available.

Japanese Movie Night – Sept 2025

Japanese Movie Night – Sept 2025

by | Aug 17, 2025 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At The Movies (on Zoom)
Friday, Sept 12, 6:00 pm

***SPECIAL START TIME THIS MONTH at 6:00 pm!***

Please join us this month to discuss HIGH AND LOW / 天国と地獄 from 1963, one of the classics in the canon of works by master filmmaker Kurosawa Akira. Starring Mifune Toshiro as a businessman caught up in a kidnapping scheme involving mistaken identity, this film set the standard for crime dramas and influenced many of the police procedurals we see today; it’s also a searing look at post-WWII Japan, its economic recovery and social inequality.

Movie Challenge! The Spike Lee-directed remake, called Highest 2 Lowest, has just come out in theaters, starring Denzel Washington in the Mifune role. If you can, go watch the remake before movie night so we can compare the two films in our group discussion!

To RSVP, email jill@j-sei.org with “Sept movie night” in the subject line. We’ll send you Zoom info and reminders before the 12th. Please note: Because the movie is over two hours long, we’ll start movie night a little earlier, at 6:00pm.

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

Sorry, no bento this month! Please check back next month to see what Chef Yuji is offering.
 
 
 
 
 
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.

Making Motherhood: A Creative Workshop with Mia Ayumi Malhotra – rescheduled

Making Motherhood: A Creative Workshop with Mia Ayumi Malhotra – rescheduled

by | Aug 16, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Making Motherhood: A Creative Workshop with Mia Ayumi Malhotra

Saturday, September 13, 2025, 10 AM – 12 PM

In this creative writing workshop, we will think about what it means to make art from life, drawing from family practices (gardening, mending, seamstressing, cooking, origami, ikebana, etc.) that have been handed down for generations by mothers and makers of every kind. Led by local poet Mia Ayumi Malhotra, we will reflect on these practices and respond through a series of written exercises inspired by the life and art of Ruth Asawa and The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon.

Come join us for a morning of making, remembrance, and—best of all—make new friends and memories in a warm, supportive circle of artist-makers. No previous writing or art experience needed; all are welcome at the table!  Sign up required.  Limited space.

Practicing Hope, a conversation on empowering women

by | Aug 16, 2025 | Classes & Events

Practicing Hope, a conversation with Areej Masoud

Fri, Sept 19, 2 to 4 pm

Areej Masoud is a Palestinian Christian woman from Bethlehm and the founder of Khayari Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment Organization. Born and raised under occupation, she speaks from a place of urgency.  Now witnessing a genocide unfold in Gaza, Palestinians struggle to keep hope alive in the West Bank.

Just months before the war began, Areej launched Khayari to create a space for young Palestinian women to lead, heal, and find direction in a world that often denies them the right to exist. The organization is Palestinian led, woman-founded, and deeply rooted in lived reality.  Areej’s work centers on women’s voices, economic empowerment, and reclaiming space amid destruction.  Her presence is not to dwell in the evil in the world, but to engender courage and find hope for the future.

RSVP for this free event.

The program is co-sponsored by Friends of Wadi Foquin, Tsuru for Solidarity and J-Sei.

Nikkei Stroll through the Generations at UCB

Nikkei Stroll through the Generations at UCB

by | Aug 16, 2025 | Classes & Events

Nikkei Stroll through the Generations at UCB

Sunday, September 21 @ 12pm

Join Connecting Across Generations* for an intergenerational stroll through the UC Berkeley campus to learn about Nikkei at UCB history, past to present. 

We will walk from the Westgate (by the cherry trees) to Sather Gate to Sproul Plaza to Alumni House to the First Congregational Church, followed by refreshments at the Jodo Shinshu Center with the opportunity to connect across generations! We will hear stories from Nancy (JAWA UCB), Kimi (Friends of Topaz Museum), Peter Horikoshi (East Bay Japanese for Action) and Alec Macdonald (Hapa Issues), Professor Emeritus Evelyn Nakano Glenn, current NSU students, and more! 

Bring good walking shoes, a water bottle, and sunscreen/hats. Hope to see you there! Let us know you are coming on this RSVP form!

Parking: 11:30am-11:45am the Jodo Shinshu Center parking lot will be open (2140 Durant Ave, Berkeley). Street parking is also available. 

Accessibility: The walking route will be wheelchair accessible, but it is hilly!

Route: The Westgate (by the cherry trees) to Sather Gate to Sproul Plaza to Alumni House to the First Congregational Church to the Jodo Shinshu Center.

*Connecting Across Generations (CAG) is to provide spaces to build community and conversation across generations. It is a collaboration between different Bay Area organizations including: J-Sei, Japanese American Youth Alliance (JAYA), and Berkeley Nikkei Student Union (NSU) at UC Berkeley, Berkeley Chapter of Japanese American Citizens League (BJACL), Friends of Topaz Museum, Tsuru for Solidarity, and Japanese American Women Alumnae of UCB (JAWAUCB).