Classes & Events

Rockin’ The Boat, Flashbacks of the 1970s Asian Movement

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 29, 2025 | Classes & Events

Rockin’ The Boat, Flashbacks of the 1970s Asian Movement

Meet Author/Photographer Mary Uyematsu Kao

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Never-before-seen photographs tell the story of the beginnings of Asian America in the 1970s from immigrant generations in Chinatowns, Japanese American youth and multigenerational community activism from California to New York. Personal reflections from those photographed bring the reader into the experiences of the times. Born in Altadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, activist and photographer Mary Uyematsu Kao attended UCLA during the struggle to establish Asian American Studies on campus. Having worked at the Asian American Studies Center at UCLA for 30 years, she is well known for her graphic design work for AASC Press publications, including the Amerasia Journal.

Kao will be joined in conversation with activist Shoshana Arai. The event is co-presented by Eastwind Books of Berkeley and J-Sei.

RSVP on Eventbrite.

Healthy Aging: Fall Prevention for Seniors & Caregiver Tips

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 29, 2025 | Classes & Events

Healthy Aging: Fall Prevention for Seniors & Caregiver Tips

Wednesday, January 28th, 1-3 pm

We’re delighted to welcome Erin Wakida, a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience in acute hospital care and ICU early mobility, for a special presentation to support safety at home for seniors with practical tips for caregivers. She will be joined by acute care PT colleagues: May Wong, who will offer insight on balance, strength and core stability; and Elle Lintera who specializes in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Together, they will cover essential topics, such as recognizing fall risks, making simple home modifications, practicing core strengthening exercises, and learning how family caregivers can support mobility without putting themselves at risk. Attendees will also receive practical tips on safe transfers, energy conservation, and communicating effectively with healthcare providers. RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “PT” in the subject line.

Discover Japanese American History in Monterey

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 29, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Discover Japanese American History in Monterey

Friday, February 6, 2026

Join us for a chartered bus trip to explore Japanese American History in Monterey. Visit the JACL Heritage Museum, located at the historic JACL Hall. Founded in 2008, the JACL Heritage Museum is committed to developing a local resource center that houses artifacts and documents that explain the Issei and Nisei contributions in many fields: fishing oceans for abalone and sardines; farming the rich land; working in canneries on Cannery Row; operating retail fish businesses on old Fisherman’s Wharf; mixing business and social life in old nihonmachi, and competing in sports. A current, unfolding project will present historical photographs, artifacts, and architectural models that document life in the internment camps during WWII.

Then, visit the Monterey Museum of Art to see “Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo” curated by ShiPu Wang. This exhibition reveals a broader picture of the American experience through artworks and life stories of three Japanese American women from the pre–World War II generation. With paintings and drawings by Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo, the exhibition spans eight decades and reveals both the range and depth of these artists’ careers and connections that have not been explored previously.

Join J-Sei for an engaging trip to the Monterey Museums. The trip is $75 per person for a roundtrip chartered bus trip and bento from Ocean Sushi.

Reserve your space, by clicking on the button below. More details to follow.

Reserve Your Space

Connecting Across Generations: Conversations in Career Exploration

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 29, 2025 | Classes & Events

Connecting Across Generations: Conversations in Career Exploration

Saturday, February 7th @ 3 pm

Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave, Berkeley

Community members and students at all stages of their career and life are invited to share where they are on their career journey, how they got there, and any further interests they hope to pursue. We hope to provide an opportunity for exploration and insight through our intergenerational conversation to help inform how identity, values, work/life balance, and more contribute to navigating career and adulthood. Parking is limited, so we encourage carpooling and public transportation.

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, and Japanese American Women Alumnae of UCB (JAWAUCB).

RSVP HERE