J-Sei helps older adults flourish by

Providing over 25 ongoing wellness classes

Offering over 40 cultural and educational community-wide events

Delivering over 37,000 hot Japanese meals

Guiding over 120 families with social workers who coordinate care and services

Engaging over 40 seniors with friendly visitors and friendly callers volunteers

J-Sei welcomes you to participate in our community and cultural organization that brings generations and families together to nurture and pass on Nikkei values through a broad array of senior services and cultural programs.

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...

We Must Begin By Telling The Truth

“We Must Begin By Telling The Truth” - Honoring the Resistance of Tule Lake Saturday, May 16 1-3pm J-Sei, 1285 66th St, Emeryville, CA 94608 In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the closing of Tule Lake Segregation Center, join Tule Lake Committee CFO Barbara...

Sansei Musings, a conversation with Naomi and Karen

Sansei Musings A conversation with writers Naomi Hirahara and Karen Tei Yamashita Friday, June 19, 5 pm Discovery and creative imaginings fill the pages of the historic fiction works by Naomi Hirahara and Karen Tei Yamashita. With new works to share, they will join in...

Japanese Heritage Night with the Valkyries

Interested in joining us for Japanese Heritage Night with the Valkyries! Friday, September 18, 2026 at 7 pm Valkyries vs Portland Fire Chase Center Cheer on Natalie Nakase, the first Japanese American coach in the WNBA. See Kokoro Tanaka, a Japanese player recruited...

Circling Back: A Retrospective of Artwork by Ruth Yoshiko Okimoto

Circling Back: A Retrospective of Artwork by Ruth Yoshiko Okimoto Opening Program: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1 pm, gallery opens at noon. J-Sei, 1285 66th St, Emeryville Exhibit Dates: February 1 - May 15, 2026 Gallery Hours: M Tu Th Fr 2-5 pm, or by appointment:...

Book Club

New! K-drama fan club & DVD lending

Come for a Visit

J-Sei Congregate Dining

We have enjoyed visiting and reconnecting with each other for Congregate Dining at J-Sei. We welcome you to join us as we expand our offering to EVERY THURSDAY at 11:30 am.

Please RSVP in advance with Sianne Susbilla at sianne@j-sei.org.

 

Listen to J-Sei’s Podcast

Hibiki Kotoba

GIVE IN MAY for J-Sei

Right now, older adults in our community are counting on us.

With your help, they can continue to receive nourishing meals, meaningful connection, and the care they deserve.

When you give to J-Sei this May, your impact is doubled. Every dollar you contribute will be matched – up to $50,000 – thanks to the generosity of Susan, Scott and Mark Muranishi; June Masuyama and Harry Bergland; Arch Insurance Group; and 5 anonymous donors. There has never been a more powerful moment to give.

We are thrilled to introduce our enthusiastic Give in May team. You can support their efforts and find out why J-Sei matters in their lives.  

Arlene Swinderman, Binh Liang, Cole Yoshida, Diane Wong, Flora Ninomiya, Grant Din, Hannah Tang, Jaime Fukumae, Jane Tanamachi, Jill Shiraki, Kevin Toyama, Kris Mizutani, Ky Lam, Linda Okahara, Michael Goldrich, Mikako Amini, Mitch Muramoto, Miyuki Iwata, Naomi Yamada, Ruth Ichinaga, Sunnie Youk, Suzie Price, Tara Kawata, Tiffany Nguyen, Victor Uno, & Yuji Ishikata.

The need is real — and it is growing. Too many seniors face isolation, food insecurity, and the quiet challenges of aging alone. But together, we are changing that.

This is our moment to show up for one another. 

Please don’t wait. Make your gift today — and double your impact. Click on the button below to connect to GIVE IN MAY and offer your support.

Flavors of Spring 2026

Many thanks to our supporters!

Classes & Events

Art, music, film, or food? Check out the wide range of special events and classes offered now.

Nutrition

Enjoy a Japanese meal with us or seniors can have hot lunches delivered to their homes. Find out more about our nutrition and food pantry programs.

Senior Services

A wide range of programs to help older adults remain at home are offered. Discover our case management, caregiver registry and friendly visitor programs.

Donate

J-Sei must fundraise over 65% of our budget to provide programs and to support this vibrant community. Learn about different options to give back with a one-time, annual, or planned gift.

Practicing Hope, a conversation on empowering women

Practicing Hope, a conversation with Areej Masoud Fri, Sept 19, 2 to 4 pm Areej Masoud is a Palestinian Christian woman from Bethlehm and the founder of Khayari Women's Leadership and Economic Empowerment Organization. Born and raised under occupation, she speaks from...

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Nikkei Stroll through the Generations at UCB

Nikkei Stroll through the Generations at UCB

Nikkei Stroll through the Generations at UCB Sunday, September 21 @ 12pm Join Connecting Across Generations* for an intergenerational stroll through the UC Berkeley campus to learn about Nikkei at UCB history, past to present.  We will walk from the Westgate (by the...

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Nikkei Community Stories Through Art, a pre-festival event

Nikkei Community Stories Through Art, a pre-festival event

Nikkei Community Stories Through Art, a pre-festival book event Sunday, September 28th, 11 am Join us for a joint book event for Seattle Samurai and Belly Like Drum, as part of J-Sei's pre-festival program.  How do stories of our past shape our current trajectory?...

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A Bay Area Response to “Shelter in Place”

A Bay Area Response to “Shelter in Place”

March 24, 2020 Dear J-Sei Family: I truly empathize with the anxiety and uncertainties that we are all facing at this time.  While your daily life has changed and we are separated by space (at least six feet right?) we are definitely still all together!  You are not...

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Canceled: Flavors of Spring 2020

Canceled: Flavors of Spring 2020

Flavors of Spring - 4/24 event cancelled  Sadly, we have decided to cancel this year’s Flavors of Spring event. While this news is not so surprising, given the pandemic, we are all very disappointed to not be able to enjoy an evening with you and acknowledge our event...

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J-Sei’s 29th Annual Crab Feed & Drawing!

J-Sei’s 29th Annual Crab Feed & Drawing!

We're hosting our 29th annual Crab Feed & Drawing! Join us on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at El Cerrito Community Center with friends and family and celebrate with fresh dungeness crab! Enjoy a great time with live entertainment provided during each seating. Don't...

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