J-Sei COVID-19 – Booster Update

J-Sei COVID-19 – Booster Update

by | Dec 21, 2021 | COVID-19, News

Dear J-Sei Community:
 
Due to the high transmissibility rate of Omicron and the winter surge, we are taking important steps to keep everyone healthy and safe. For the best protection for our community, all individuals on site at J-Sei will need to show proof of their booster to enter the building starting on January 17, 2022.
 
For those who have had their last COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago, it is recommended that you get a booster.  The following links provide more information on the booster vaccination.
 
 
 
Those with extenuating medical circumstances should let us know so that we can figure out the best course of action should they not be able to receive a booster. Contact Diane Wong at diane@j-sei.org.
 
We are so sorry that more precautions are needed at this time. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and support as we work, as best we can, to maintain a safe environment for the community.
 
 
Diane Wong, MSW
Executive Director
 
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REGISTRATION
 
All on-site class participants and active volunteers are asked to register in advance or make an appointment with a staff member to register on-site.
 
 
J-Sei Volunteer Registration – https://tinyurl.com/J-Sei-Volunteer-Reg
 
For those active at J-Sei who are already registered as a volunteer or class participant, the following form can be completed to show proof of booster:
 
 
 
My Senior Center
 
We are implementing My Senior Center, a new electronic system to monitor the activity at J-Sei, beginning in January 2022. Once you are registered on-site, you will have access to your own account and activity.  This will allow for more efficient in-take in the building with a swipe of the keycard or input of your phone number.  A daily health check concerning COVID-19 can be completed electronically upon entry.  This will also help J-Sei to monitor and track its activity for contact tracing and reporting to funders.  Staff will be available to train you on use of the new system.
 
 

J-Sei’s Virtual Asian Artisan Craft Faire 2021

by | Nov 3, 2021 | 50th Anniversary, News

Come shop online with us at our Asian Artisan Craft Faire 2021. J-Sei encourages creative artists in our midst to share their inspired designs for gift giving and to spread the joy. 

LINK TO J-SEI ARTISAN STORE

MEET OUR ARTISANS

PatchworkChicken

After learning a “patchwork” of crafts from her mom and grandma, Carina Lee picked out knitting and sewing as her go-to crafts. She likes to create plushies that are fun, whimsical, and sometimes humorous. She likes to hang out at home with her husband, two kids, and her piles of yarn and fabric.

Etsuko Bram

Etsuko Bram was born and raised in Japan. Her parents gave her the name Etsuko, which means Joy child. She says, “I enjoy my life, and I enjoy doing pottery. I am pleased to share my joy of ceramics with everyone.”

bARTISANS

Amy Funabiki – Children’s Happi Jackets, Catch-All Bags

Anne Takizawa – Homemade Preserves

Carolyn Hayashida – Women’s Tops

Carrie Yoshida -Assorted Cards

Chiyeko Klarman – Hand-built Pottery, Shibori

Dawn Nakashima – Original Designs on Mugs, Assorted Cards

Eastwind Books – Asian American books

Etsuko Bram – Creative Ceramics

Harvest Land – Hand-screened Print T-shirts

Hikari Farms – Pickled Rakkyo and other fresh bites

Jane Yamashiro – Assorted Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Egg-Free Desserts

Jizake Quest – Imported Sake

Jun Hamamoto/San Quentin Origami – Handmade Cards

Koko Baker – Handwoven Scarves

Morita Arts – Pressed Floral Cards and Ribbon Fish

Mume Farm – Ume Products

Patchwork Chicken – Assorted playful knit shapes

Teri Lee – Functional Pottery

Tracy Takayanagi Hui – Happi Jacket, Face Masks & Jewelry

Wasabi Press – Original Linoleum and Letterpress Prints

And more to come!

 

 

 

Amy Funabiki

Sewing has always been a way of giving back. Whether it is sewing costumes to support the local ballet company that her granddaughter dances for, or craft items for the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple or J-Sei, Amy generously shares her talents to support community. All of the proceeds from her sales from the fair supports J-Sei.

San Quentin Origami

In 1984, 37 years ago, I was given a life sentence and I have been incarcerated since then.  For me, Origami is like an effortless meditation where I am not aware of time and yet experience real peace and true joy in turning a tiny piece of paper into an animal, a bird, a flower or a delicate box.

Origami has been my therapy, it helps me not to be impatient or self-absorbed. I have become more mindful and aware of my surroundings.  – Hau Chan, 2021

J-Sei Holiday Marketplace

Sunday, December 5, 2021

11 am to 2 pm

 The J-Sei Holiday Marketplace, an open air market to share some of the culinary delights from the kitchen and shops from friends of J-Sei, will be part of the festivities.  Come join in the holiday activity, order a bento from My Friend Yuji, browse the local treats, and share some good cheer with friends. 

The J-Sei Holiday Marketplace is scheduled to align with Asian Artisan Craft Faire pick-up. We look forward to greeting you at J-Sei.

MORE INFO TO COME. 

Job Postings for J-Sei Home

by | Aug 27, 2021 | News

J-Sei Home Head Cook

J-Sei Home seeks a Head Cook to prepare meals for the elderly with experience in Japanese cuisine, and familiarity with American, Western, Chinese and other Asian cuisines. Experience in working in a restaurant setting, menu planning, cooking for the elderly and adjusting to dietary restrictions is desired. We seek a self-starter and highly motivated individual who works well with a team of staff, caregivers, and Administrator. J-Sei Home is a residential care home located in Hayward, California. Work hours are Mon-Fri from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm.

For more information, see job description.  To apply or for more information, contact Mary Hart, Administrator, J-Sei Home by email mary@j-sei.org

 

J-Sei Home Caregiver

Full-Time and Part-Time positions available

J-Sei Home seeks FT/PT Caregivers for its small residential care facility located in Hayward, California. This warm and supportive home is a service of J-Sei, a community-based non-profit that is dedicated to the respect and care for older adults. We seek a calm and compassionate individual to assist with the personal care needs of residents and may include laundry, meals, and housework.

For more information, see job description. To apply or for more information, contact Mary Hart, Administrator, J-Sei Home by email mary@j-sei.org

J-Sei Protocol Update

J-Sei Protocol Update

by | Aug 27, 2021 | COVID-19, News

Dear J-Sei Community,

 

In light of the rise in COVID-19 infections and concern for the rapid spread of new variants, we will require all people entering the J-Sei building to be fully vaccinated. Proof of a recent negative test will no longer be accepted for entry.  The policy of being masked and socially distanced while inside the building remains the same.

For Emeryville Building Entry
  • All visitors must show proof of vaccination and sign in with a staff person.
  • Register as a class participant or volunteer ahead of time.
  • Upload or bring proof of full vaccination.
  • Complete J-Sei Waiver & Release of Liability.
  • Respond to daily health symptom check at the door.
  • Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth.
  • Stay at least 6 feet apart from others.

Thank you for understanding and adjusting with us as we try to protect everyone in our community.

Stay safe and take care of each other,

Diane Wong
Executive Director

Message posted August 6, 2021

 

Planting the Seeds: A Grassroots Approach to JA Community in the East Bay

Planting the Seeds: A Grassroots Approach to JA Community in the East Bay

by | May 25, 2021 | 50th Anniversary, News

Planting the Seeds: A Grassroots Approach to JA Community in the East Bay 

Friday, June 18, 6:30 pm

A conversation with founders of the East Bay Japanese for Action and Eden Issei Housing – Robert Sakai, Dennis Yotsuya, and Dr. Reiko Homma True, with moderator Lauren Kawana.  This panel is part of J-Sei’s 50th Anniversary celebration programs.

Over 50 years ago, a community grassroots effort by college student activists initiated two non-profits, East Bay Japanese for Action and East Bay Issei Housing. Join us for a trip down memory lane to hear from the people integral to the social movement that led to the eventual formation of J-Sei. Seeking resources for Japanese American seniors, our invited guests will share their memories and experiences on why and how East Bay Japanese for Action and East Bay Issei Housing began. What was the vision and how was it cultivated? What has evolved and changed as we look forward to the next 50 years?

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Founders 6/18” in subject.

Community planning included both students and Nisei community leaders.  Pictured: Murayo Sawai, Tad Hirota (Berkeley JACL), Dennis Yotsuya, Peter Horikoshi, and Jan Nakao. Photo courtesy of Thomas Okamoto.

Special Founder’s Bento

A special bento will be offered for this J-Sei 50th Anniversary program. Order and pick up a bento.  Then, join us for the talk.

Founder’s Meal

Mixed Fish Nanbanzuke (fried fish with picketed vegetables) Buta Shabu Salad (shaved pork) nori onigiri

The price is $20 for the bento.

You can pick up your meal at the selected pick up time at J-Sei on Friday, June 18th. Please remember to wear a mask and observe social distance protocol. Thank you!

To order: When you click on the button below, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click anywhere inside the box frame to open another pop-up and select the number of bento you want to order, then click on “Add item” to close the pop-up. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.

MY FRIEND YUJI on TOCK
J-Sei Reopening Protocol

J-Sei Reopening Protocol

by | May 17, 2021 | COVID-19, News

J-Sei In Community

We miss you!  After more than a year of sheltering-in-place, J-Sei is in the process of creating phases and protocols for reopening J-Sei operations in Emeryville.  The health and safety of the seniors, volunteers and staff are the top priority and J-Sei will follow the guidance of Alameda County, California, the Center for Disease Control and relevant authorities. This brief description provides an abbreviated outline on how J-Sei plans to ramp up in-person programs and more details will be shared as we move forward.

Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that California will be open on June 15, 2021, however, Alameda County has not entered the least restrictive yellow tier necessary for many activities, so we are awaiting more information before we can proceed.  The public health guidelines are continually changing and we will continue to adjust accordingly.

Given the information we have at this moment, we will ask individuals who come into the J-Sei facility to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours. [Note: Change made 8/6/21]

J-Sei Reopens in Phases

As COVID-19 infection rates decline and vaccination rates increase, J-Sei anticipates a three-phase opening that is highly dependent on public health data that dictate progression of our reopening phases.

 

What We Are Doing Now

  • Home delivered meals and case management services continue its operations.
  • Congregate meal diners receive home delivered meals.
  • All wellness classes, education and cultural events are offered virtually.
  • Friendly Visitor/Caller can continue by phone or computer. If both senior and volunteer are fully vaccinated, in-person indoor visits may resume with mask wearing and social distancing.  If only one party has been fully vaccinated or no individuals vaccinated, in-person visits may resume outdoors with mask wearing and social distancing.
  • Caregiver Registry inquiries are assisted by phone and email.

Phase 1.0

  • Nutrition lunch delivery will expand to Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
  • A limited number of the wellness and cultural education classes will be conducted in-person and/or as a hybrid class (in person & virtual). These first classes to return in-person, will be the smaller classes with attendance less than 10 or 25% room capacity; and classes that benefit from in-person instruction.
  • Caregiver Registry staff will continue to primarily offer assistance by phone and email. However, in-person appointments can be scheduled.

Phase 2.0

  • All wellness classes, education and cultural programs may return on site but with limits on the number of students based on capacity and anticipated in-person attendance. We will make every effort to provide in-person and virtual options.  We hope to make attendance equitably available to all students.  This may require that people alternate between in-person and virtual attendance so that all may have a chance to come in-person on a regular basis.  In this phase, attendance may be limited to 50% of usual operations to allow for adequate social distancing.
  • Class participants will have the opportunity to reserve To-Go lunches.
  • Van Pool service will be available.

Phase 3.0

  • Resume congregate dining at J-Sei.  We will utilize the upstairs Atrium for maximum social distancing.  Again, we want to assure that all interested diners have an opportunity to participate. A sign-up system will be coordinated and initially congregate dining may be limited to 1 day per week.
  • Participation in in-person classes and on-site dining may be set up on a rotational basis in order to provide access and to observe capacity limits for social-distancing.

Preventative Measures When at J-Sei

  • Daily health screenings will be required.
  • Mask wearing will be required at all times in the J-Sei facility.
  • Social distancing will be observed to maintain space of 6 feet or more to others.
  • Doors and windows will be opened to the greatest extent possible to allow natural air circulation.
  • Medical-grade air cleaners/purifiers will be used in the conference rooms to improve air quality and circulation.
  • Hand-sanitizing stations have been installed at entrances and throughout the building.
  • Contactless door opening have been installed on front door and bathrooms.
  • Contactless soap dispensers have been installed in the restrooms
  • Staff will follow new disinfecting and cleaning protocols.

Notification of Exposures

In the potential event that someone tests positive for COVID-19, J-Sei will determine which attendees, staff and volunteers may have been exposed (within six feet for 15 minutes within a 24-hour period).  These individuals will be notified within a 24-hour period of their potential exposure.  Testing options will be provided.  Unvaccinated people may return 14-days after their exposure. Someone who tests positive for COVID-19 may return when at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100 degrees or higher without use of fever-reducing medications, COVID-19 symptoms have improved, and at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared.

Return from Travel

An unvaccinated individual should get tested 3-5 days after travel.  The individual should self-quarantine for 7 days, no matter what the test results were.  If someone did not get tested upon travel return, a self-quarantine of 10 days is required.

Parking

Please be aware that the City of Emeryville has installed parking meters on streets close to J-Sei so more cars have been parking on our nearby streets.  We encourage volunteers and seniors to car pool, take public transportation or a shared ride service.