America’s Last Concentration Camp: Crystal City

America’s Last Concentration Camp: Crystal City

America’s Last Concentration Camp: Crystal City

Exhibit Dates: May 20 – July 22, 2026

J-Sei Gallery, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville
Gallery Hours: M Tu Th Fr 2-5 pm, or by appointment: 510-654-4000

About the Exhibit

The Crystal City Pilgrimage Committee will premiere its national traveling exhibit, based on their permanent exhibit at the My Story Museum in Crystal City, Texas. Additional interpretive panels will depict stories of the individual families who were incarcerated at Crystal City. Crystal City  Family Internment Camp, as it was called during the war, administered by the Department of Justice, held thousands of Japanese, Germans, and Italians in addition to Latin American residents of Axis nationalities.

Created as a family reunification center for immigrants arrested under the Alien Enemies Act in 1942, Crystal City remained open until 1948, long after WWII ended. Several hundred families were moved to Crystal City after their applications for reunification were approved. Several hundred families were moved to Crystal City after their applications for reunification were approved. In some cases, families waited a year or more to be reunited with their husband or father.

Crystal City was also used as a detention facility for individuals awaiting deportation in a prisoner of war exchange with Axis countries. The State Department devised a secret program called “Quiet Passages” to exchange prisoners held in DOJ prison camps for US civilians held behind enemy lines. Some prisoners went willingly, others were forcibly deported to Axis war zones. This included some children with US birthright citizenship whose parents were ineligible for naturalization, and Japanese Latin Americans who were kidnapped and brought to the US.

“By sharing our nation’s hidden histories and the powerful stories of survivors, we can begin to undo the historical amnesia that allows our government to harm children and families today,” said Crystal City Pilgrimage President Kaz Naganuma, whose family was forced to leave a flourishing laundry business in Peru and travel for three weeks by boat and train before being imprisoned in Texas.

Exhibit Programs

May 23, 1-3 PM – Opening Program
June 20 1-3 PM – From WWII Kidnapping to Reparations
July 11, 1-3 PM – One Fighting Irishman: Wayne M. Collins

Opening Program

Saturday, May 23, 2 pm

The opening program will include a panel presentation with survivors Kaz Naganuma, Hiroshi Shimizu, Heidi Gurke and the showing of the short documentary, Then Becoming Now.

Then Becoming Now (2019, 24 min.), directed by Emiko Omori, follows the journey of three men who went from incarcerated children to social activists. Seventy-seven years ago Hiroshi “Shim” Shimizu, Kaz Naganuma, and Hiroshi Fukuda met as toddlers in the Crystal City Family Internment Camp. Today, their childhood experiences motivate them to join the protest of current immigration policies of detaining and separating families.

America’s Last Concentration Camp at the My Story Museum in Crystal City, Texas opened in October, 2025.

Flavors of Spring 2026

Join us for a festive afternoon of food, wine, brew and live music.

Discover must-have silent auction items and

try a spin in the raffle drawing.

Regular ticket price is $200, from February 9th.

Purchase tickets online or send checks payable to:

J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville, CA 94608.

Must be postmarked by March 22, 2026.

For more info, contact Tiffany Nguyen, tiffany@j-sei.org

 

Many thanks to our vendors who give their time & talents

and to the creative orchestration by Yuji Ishikata.

Aloha Shave Ice

Joodooboo

Chef Siew Chinn Chin

Chef Cheryl Lew

Piglet and Co

Good Morning 96

Rintaro

Chef Yuji Ishikata

Chef Brian Ishii

Jizake Quest

Match Point

Mikami Vineyards

Be in good company and enjoy

music by Private Practice,

bid at our Silent Auction

and try your luck with the J-Sei Raffle!

TICKETS and MORE INFO

Note: Purchasing Tickets Online

Zeffy is a free platform for non-profits with no transaction fee. There is an option to donate to support their efforts. However, if you would like to bypass, choose “Other” and indicate “0” at payment checkout.

See screenshot on the right. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flavors of Spring?

Flavors of Spring is a special tasting event that brings the community together to share in exceptional eats, drink, live music, and company while raising funds to support J-Sei’s senior services and cultural family programs.

What is J-Sei and how will it benefit from my participation?

J-Sei is a community and cultural organization that brings together generations of families in the East Bay through a broad array of services and programs. We promote a multi-cultural and multi-generational approach to to supporting older Japanese Americans and the broader aging population.

Proceeds from the Flavors of Spring 2026 event will help frail older adults remain healthy and happy in their community through critical programs such as our meals on wheels service. We help more than 700 individuals and their families every year in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

For more FAQs and to learn more, click on the button below.

Become a Sponsor

J-Sei provides a wide range of services and cultural programs for a diverse population of older adults and families with a unique ability to serve the Japanese American community. Your generous participation will provide critical support for our mission to support those in need.

Sponsorship Levels

Hasu (Lotus) – $10,000

Sakura (Cherry Blossom) – $5,000

Matsu (Pine) – $2,500

Take (Bamboo) – $1,250

Ume (Plum) – $750

Learn more about the sponsorship levels, benefits and acknowledgements by clicking on the button below.  Any questions, contact Ky Lam by email ky@j-sei.org or call (510) 654-4000, ext 108.

Silent Auction

J-Sei’s Silent Auction includes original artwork, handmade crafts, ceramics, jewelry, gift certificates for restaurants or services, etc.  If you are interested in making an In-Kind donation,  contact Lindsay Oda at lindsayoda@gmail.com

J-Sei’s 35th Annual Crab Feed

J-Sei’s 35th Annual Crab Feed

J-Sei’s 35th Annual Crab Feed

Sunday, February 1, 2026
Fratellanza Club, 1140 66th Street, Oakland
(1 block east of J-Sei with on-site parking)

Live band, no host bar, and raffle drawing : 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Doors to dining room and seating open : 6:00 pm
Dinner : 6:00 to 7:30 pm

Enjoy fresh Dungeness crab, Asian salad, garlic noodles,
rolls, desserts, and beverages with your family and friends
at J-Sei’s in-person, sit-down, family-style crab feed!
(Menu subject to change depending on availability of crab)

Early Bird Special, purchase by January 18 : adults $80
Dinner tickets : adults $90, children 12 & under $40
(Sorry, no to-go meals)

Please purchase your ticket(s) by Sunday, January 25
.

To pay by check, click on the button below to print out the Crab Feed 2026 flyer.  Make check payable and send or drop off to J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville, CA 94608. Pre-orders must be received by Sunday, January 25th. 

A very limited number of dinners may be purchased at the door.  For more info, email suzanne@j-sei.org or call 510-654-4000.

J-Sei Podcast: Hibiku Kotoba

J-Sei Podcast: Hibiku Kotoba

Hibiku Kotoba, a new podcast series

Hibiku Kotoba is a brand new podcast series we are launching this Fall! With a new podcast we hope to outreach through a new medium to an ever growing community. When translated, Hibiku Kotoba means “resonating words” and we hope that this podcast will reach you, family and friends and spark conversations that will bring ideas and people together from all backgrounds.

Welcoming J-Sei’s New Executive Director: Ky Lam

Welcoming J-Sei’s New Executive Director: Ky Lam

Welcoming J-Sei’s New Executive Director: Ky Lam

Following an extensive national search, the J-Sei Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ky Lam as our next Executive Director. This decision follows a rigorous and inclusive search process conducted in partnership with NPAG, a national executive talent search firm.

“I am extremely happy that Ky will bring her excellent and deep experience in social services, leadership and strategic planning to J-Sei.
— Diane Wong

Ky brings to J-Sei more than two decades of visionary leadership in the nonprofit sector, government, and international development arenas across the United States and globally. She has deep experience in strategic planning, program design, financial oversight, human resources, and team development, and she has devoted much of her career to improving health care access. Ky is a values-driven leader whose work is grounded in equity, inclusion, and intergenerational impact—an ideal match for J-Sei’s senior service mission and community.

With deep and proven experience in nonprofit management, Ky’s commitment to human services will enhance J-Sei’s older adult programs and community building. She is highly respected for her ability to align values and outcomes through inclusive, partnership-centered planning, execution, and culturally responsive service models. She has successfully managed large-scale, multimillion-dollar organizations and brings deep experience in fundraising, grantmaking, and resource diversification.

“I am confident that Ky will advance the organization to continue serving our ever-growing multi-generational and multi-ethnic community.
— Ken Tsuboi

“I am extremely happy that Ky will bring her excellent and deep experience in social services, leadership and strategic planning to J-Sei. Her warmth and long-standing commitment to improving the lives of underserved populations will guide J-Sei into an exciting future,” noted Diane Wong, outgoing Executive Director.

J-Sei Board Co-Chair Ken Tsuboi said “I am confident that Ky will advance the organization to continue serving our ever-growing multi-generational and multi-ethnic community. I look forward, with great excitement, to working with Ky.

” Ky has deep roots in the East Bay. After resettling to the United States as a Vietnamese refugee in the early 1980s, she grew up in Oakland and attended public schools in the area. Ky Lam shares, “I am thrilled to build on J-Sei’s strong legacy of care, culture, and connection grounded in Nikkei values. As the new Executive Director of J-Sei, I look forward to maintaining and strengthening J-Sei’s positive and impactful environment and programming aimed at bringing families and communities together.”

The J-Sei Board of Directors whole-heartedly welcomes Ky and looks forward to a strong partnership in the continued growth and evolution of J-Sei. We hope you have an opportunity to meet Ky after she starts on August 4!

J-Sei’s Spring 2025 Newsletter

J-Sei’s Spring 2025 Newsletter

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 
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.