Jill Shiraki for J-Sei

Dear Friends & Family -

Change is a constant, especially these days. Every day is a new order - a new attack on our values, people, places and institutions we care about.  Still, we continue to push forward with good people to stand by. Creating a community that cares is definitely a focus we keep strong at J-Sei.  

Community - Good people continue to join us to share their work and passion. We hosted scholar Koji Lau-Ozawa,  writer Brynn Saito and media artist Art Nomura. Artist/innovator Dorothy Yuki uplifted us with Botanical Printing and cultural artist Tomoko Murakami grounds us with Japanese Woodblock Printing. A delightful synergy with seniors is created by Midori Lambert's Brain, Balance and Body Work. Sogetsu Ikebana class with Keiko Kubo continues to expand.

We are reminded to lift our voices as an authentic witness as a Japanese American community to the racial injustice and loss of civil liberties during WW2 through exhibits shared by Topaz Stories, curated by Ruth Sasaki and Gambatte! with photos by Paul Kitagaki, Jr.  

We create community through our faithful following of Japanese Movie Night, and a Saturday morning watch of popular Japanese series, moderated by the expansive mind of Kathy Hashimoto. The J-Sei Book Club engaged in conversation with filmmaker Steven Okazaki on his good friend Ben Masaoka's novel "Criminals".    Jill with Patricia Wakida, Jonathan Hirabayashi, Paul Kitagaki, Jr & Justin Doi during the installation of Gambatte! - open until July 3rd.

Transitions - While it has been reassuring to be surrounded by good people, change is also in the midst internally at J-Sei. Our compass Diane Wong, who helps to navigate and keep us on the path as a compassionate and steady guide, will retire. My office mate, dog whisperer and spark Kathleen Wong has left for her next adventure.  And sadly, the heartbeat of J-Sei, retired therapist Alan Maeda, who kept us grounded and right with the world, passed away in March. 

So, yes, many of the extraordinary people at work are moving on. I will miss them dearly. We will not be the same, but are so much better for the lasting imprint they leave with us at J-Sei.   

Renewal - Your support will help us shift and grow in new ways at J-Sei and continue to make a difference in community. Together, our hearts stay strong

Please support J-Sei as we stretch to reach our matching grant challenge of $50 K!  We are so encouraged by a 1:1 matching pledge once again. Give $25 and your donation is $50; give $75 and your donation is $150, give $125 and your donation is $250, and so on. 

Thanks for reading this. I am so grateful to have the continued staff support of Karol Doi and tech support by Justin Doi.  They keep things running with quality and care.

Give if you can, and share this with another person to invite them into the J-Sei family of support. 

With a hopeful heart,

Jill

Ernest & Camille celebrated their wedding in February, 2025.

Jasper will miss Kathleen & Otoko, too!