Discover Japanese American History in Monterey

by | 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
Improve Your Qi – Try Qi Gong

Improve Your Qi – Try Qi Gong

by | Nov 18, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Improve Your Qi – Try Qi Gong at J-Sei

Mondays, 10 – 11 am 

Try a new practice and get grounded by learning Qi Gong. 

Improve your overall health, reduce stress and practice movement. Breathe easy, meditate, and improve the flow of Qi – life energy.  Lois Brady is a practitioner and teacher of Qi Gong Dayan or Wild Geese style.

This class will continue as an in-person offering. Sign up for this on-going class.

Harvest Lunch 2025

Harvest Lunch 2025

by | Oct 7, 2025 | Classes & Events, Other News

Harvest Lunch

Thursday, November 13

Join with Congregate Diners, J-Sei volunteers & staff, and  invite friends to celebrate all that we are thankful for. Enjoy sultry smooth jazz music by The Larry Walter Trio, featuring Larry Walter (piano), Wayne Samdahl (bass) and Glen Iwaoka (drums). We are grateful for the many hands that plant, grow, harvest, prepare and deliver the foods that sustain us.  We are thankful for your health, nourishment, and connection to J-Sei.

The special luncheon will feature roast turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, spring mix salad, and dessert. Suggested donation: $12.

To reserve your lunch, please pay online or send a check to J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville, CA 94608.  Include the names, contact info, and number of meals. If you have any questions, call (510) 654-4000 or email tara@j-sei.org

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

 

Visit J-Sei YouTube Channel

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.