by Jill Shiraki | Mar 30, 2026 | Classes & Events
A Matter of Balance
Fridays, 10 am – 12 pm
Apr 24 – June 5, last class to be held on 6/26
A Matter of Balance (MOB) is specifically designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults. The evidence-based program from the Center of Aging, enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. Participants learn about the importance of exercise in preventing falls and practice exercises to improve strength, coordination, and balance. Presented by Spectrum Community Services, Inc, the program consists of 8 two-hour classes.
RSVP for this class.
by Jill Shiraki | Mar 30, 2026 | Featured, Other News
Interested in joining us for
Japanese Heritage Night with the Valkyries!
Friday, September 18, 2026 at 7 pm
Valkyries vs Portland Fire
Chase Center
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- Cheer on Natalie Nakase, the first Japanese American coach in the WNBA.
- See Kokoro Tanaka, a Japanese player recruited for the 2026 team.
- Free Japanese Heritage Night T-Shirt.
- Invitation to private post-game talk with Coach Nakase.
by Jill Shiraki | Feb 9, 2026 | Classes & Events, Other News
Am I an American or Am I Not?, a traveling exhibit by Fred T. Korematsu Institute
J-Sei Group Visit & Docent Tour
Wednesday, February 18
San Leandro Public Library, 300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro
Inspired by Fred Korematsu’s courageous resistance against the violation of his constitutional rights, the exhibit examines the mass incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese Americans during WWII and invites visitors to reflect on historical injustice and its relevance today. Developed in partnership with the Korematsu Institute, the exhibition emphasizes stories of resilience and civic engagement, encouraging all of us to stand up for equal rights. Exhibit Dates: January 6 to Feb 28, 2026. The opening event for the exhibit will be January 10th.
Travel as a group to see the exhibit and docent lead tour on Feb 18th at the San Leandro Public Library. To join the group visit, RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Korematsu” in the subject line for more details.
by Jill Shiraki | Feb 9, 2026 | Classes & Events, Other News
From Scraps to Sentiments, Lunar New Year Collage Card-Making Workshop
Friday, February 27, 1 to 3 pm
Join us for a mindful card-making workshop celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse. Using collage, we’ll create unique holiday cards from images, textures, and words—crafting personal messages of hope, memory, or blessing to share with loved ones. This gentle, hands-on session emphasizes presence over perfection, exploring how fragments come together to tell stories, just as we show up for our communities. No art experience needed—just bring curiosity and openness. All materials and reflective prompts provided. Leave with a handmade card infused with intention, ready to gift as an offering of care, gratitude, and connection during this season of renewal.
Trisha Mah (she/they) is a Chinese-Japanese American artist from the East Bay blending analog collage and taiko to explore cultural identity, intergenerational memory, and liberation.
Workshop Fee: $25 to $45 sliding scale, all materials included. RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Lunar New Yr” in memo.
by Jill Shiraki | Feb 9, 2026 | Classes & Events
KOMEBUKURO: Boro inspired “rice bag”
Two Mondays, 1 to 3 pm –
Choose from March 2 & 9 or March 23 & 30.
KOMEBUKURO, drawstring rice bags, were traditionally used to carry rice as offerings to temples and shrines. They were often made from repurposed fabric and hand stitched.
BORO (rags, tatters). Due to economic hardships, the peasants of 17-19th century Japan had to extend the life of their clothing and textiles with patches of fabric reinforced with SASHIKO, (running stitches.).
Today, these pieces have become highly revered, not only for their utilitarian purposes, but as artistic expressions as they embody the Japanese concepts of WABI SABI (seeing the beauty in the imperfect, the impermanent) and MOTTAINAI (waste not).
Our Komebukuro bags will be boro-inspired. Workshop fee is $40 (includes some materials). Participants are asked to bring their own 1/8 or 1/4 yard of fabric, can be recycled or repurposed.
RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Boro” and preferred date.
