Connecting Across Generations: Nikkei Stroll at UCB

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Other News

Connecting Across Generations – Nikkei Stroll @ UC Berkeley

Sept. 21, 2025

With over 60 people gathered, a curated dialogue on the Japanese American experience on the UC Berkeley campus through the decades was held.  View the reflections from guest speakers from the community as they remember campus life for students and faculty, as the different generations found their voice and community through challenging times.

Nancy Arata-Fong: 1931-1942 Nikkei student life before 1942, purchase of men’s and women’s dorms for JAs, 2013 cherry tree project

Kimi Kodani Hill: 1930-1954 – History of Professor Chiura Obata before professorship, during WWII, after WWII

Evelyn Nakano Glenn: 1958-1962 undergrad, 1990-2013 faculty Ethnic Studies and subsequent struggles to keep Ethnic Studies and the Center for Race and Gender alive

Peter Horikoshi: 1969-1973 Creation of Asian Studies after the Third World strike, working in Asian American communities, starting East Bay Japanese for Action, which became Japanese American Services of the East Bay and later J-Sei. Working with Professor Ron Takaki and writer Toshio Mori, and starting the Yokohama, California band.

Alec Macdonald: 1992-2007 Hapa Issues Forum

 

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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.

J-Sei Family Festival – Save the date

J-Sei Family Festival – Save the date

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

J-Sei Family Festival – Save the Date!

Sunday, September 28, 12 to 3 pm

From the beat of the taiko to the intergenerational singers and hip-hop dancers, we celebrate the J-Sei Family Festival each year.  Enjoy an array of festival foods, music, activities, and celebrate our elders. Our festival is held in recognition of Keiro no Hi, respect for the aged day.

Discover “Belly Like Drum”, recipes for building community from Nikkei Progressives, on sale for $30.  Try a dish, be part of building bridges, and creating new connections.

Check back for the schedule of performances, list of activities, and to order bento.  More info to come. 

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

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

by | Jul 18, 2025 | News, Other News

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!

Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit, photo exhibit

Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit, photo exhibit

by | May 6, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Gambatte! Legacy

of an Enduring Spirit

Photographs by Paul Kitagaki, Jr.

Exhibit Extended to July 18, 2025

Gallery Hours: Mondays & Thursdays 10 am – 4 pm, and by appointment.

Presented by J-Sei & Friends of Topaz Museum, with support by Topaz Museum

Closing Program

CAPTURING MOMENTS with Photojournalists Paul Kitagaki, Jr and Renée C. Byer

Saturday, July 19, 1 pm, Exhibit open 11-1

For more info on this free event.

BEHIND BARBED WIRE, The Search for Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII

The book Behind Barbed Wire is based on the nationally traveling exhibition “Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit.”

Hardcover 152 pages and 137 Illustrations

Published by CityPress Files

Retail Price: $55

Autographed books are now available for pick up at J-Sei. For delivery to your home add $10 shipping/handling. Use button below to place order.

Book Order

Many of the Issei and Nisei never shared their stories with their own families. As some of the subjects recounted their experiences, they were overcome with tears and emotion as long-forgotten memories returned. For many, this was the first time for them to publicly speak about what they endured. – Paul Kitagaki, Jr.

Paul Kitagaki, Jr.

 Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit explores the legacy of an enduring spirit as Japanese Americans triumphed over adversity in the WWII incarceration camps.

As he was searching through photos at the National Archives in 1984, Kitagaki found a photo taken by famed documentary photographer Dorothea Lange of his grandparents and father preparing to board a bus in Oakland, Calif., enroute to a World War II incarceration camp. Through slow and painstaking research, Kitagaki has spent 15 years locating and winning the trust of the families who lived through the incarceration, documenting their stories of survival and inner strength to overcome injustice, racism, and wartime hysteria. 

Photographer and videographer Paul Kitagaki Jr. has traveled the world covering natural and human-caused disasters and international athletes competing for gold at ten different Olympic Games. Kitagaki’s work has been honored with dozens of photo awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, and Emmy nominations. He’s been published in news outlets worldwide, including National Geographic, Time, Smithsonian Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Stern, People, Mother Jones, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post, as well as in his home paper, The Sacramento Bee. 

Boro Inspired Collage with Sashiko – Spring 2025

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Boro Inspired Collage with Sashiko Stitching

Mondays, June 2 & 9, 10 to 12 – The class is full. Sign up for a future session

In this two- day workshop we will create patchwork placemats or a table runner. You will be introduced to various methods to create the collage patchwork from boro-inspired with sashiko hand stitching to quilting methods. Participants will be encouraged to explore their individual style, preferences and methods.

In the spirit of Boro, you can repurpose what you may already have at home. Textile artist Chiyeko Klarman has personally cut up unwanted clothing, pulled out my fabric stash, dyed small pieces of white cloth with tea, coffee, onion skins. Upon registration you will be provided with a materials list of sewing tools and suggested fabric sources.  

Workshop fee: $15  RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Boro” in the subject line.  Space is limited. the class is full. Sign up for early notice of the next session.