Volunteers Needed

JASC is looking for volunteers to help us move! Volunteer tasks include packing, sorting, organizing, dropping off items to donations, and moving support. We will work around your schedule and appreciate any support! We will also be accepting donations of cardboard boxes. For questions, reach out to operations@jasc-chicago.org or call Tricia at 773-275-0097 x225.

It is with heavy hearts and a deep sense of loss that we share the news of John T. Sasaki's death on Janurary 9. John generously shared his time and talent supporting JASC as a board member, financial supporter, business sponsor, program participant, and graciously sharing his time and talent for decades. Read his full obituary and details for a Memorial Gathering on Sunday, January 28 by clicking here.

We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s family, those in the Japanese American community, and all his friends who join us in remembering his incredible impact on all who had the honor of knowing him.

Winter 2 Session started last week! Don’t miss the classes in-person on Saturdays and online on Mondays with Team Tampopo teachers for preschooler/family programming with engaging Japanese language and culture class activities. Get all the info and register click here.

February Japanese Conversation Table –

Thursday, February 15, 2024

2月の日本語お話会は2月15日（木）です

開催日：2月に限り都合で第3木曜です。（普通毎月第２木曜日）

開催時間：午後1:30から3:00まで

参加費：１人/１回5ドル



日本語で交流したい方へのお知らせです。（日本語の会話クラスではありません。）

普段あまりほかの方との交流のない方、一人でお住まいの方、思いっきり日本語でおしゃべりしてみませんか？

楽しい話題や暮らしのアイデアを分け合い、ちょっとした悩みや不安など、皆で話し合えば解決法がでてくるかも知れません。いろいろなことを日本語で話し合い、英語社会で溜まったストレスを解消しましょう。

このプログラムに興味のある方、参加したいと思われる方は、Eメールで川口ケイclasses@jasc-chicago.org　または電話：773-275-0097内線226, までご連絡ください。

Do you know a native Japanese speaker who would like to connect and socialize with other native Japanese speakers? Please note this is not a Japanese language class but rather a time for fellowship while speaking in fluent Japanese.

Date: Monthly, second Thursday, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Special date of Feb. 15^th (Third Thursday)

Cost: $5 per person, per session

JASC's Conversation Table welcomes everyone to share their experiences, ideas, and stories through social interaction and offers an opportunity to expand their social networks with others in the local community.

If you know someone who would like to participate, please contact Kay Kawaguchi by email at classes@jasc-chicago.org or call her at 773-275-0097 x 226 and leave a message to RSVP. Kay can answer any questions about the program in Japanese or in English.



JASC is located at 4427 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL

Chicago Day of Remembrance 2024 Weekend

Signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 led to the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans during WWII. Every year, the Japanese American community in Chicago comes together to commemorate E.O. 9066 as a reminder of the fragility of civil liberties in times of crisis and the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms of all. This year, Day of Remembrance 2024 will include three events focused on intergenerational impact;

• Saturday, February, 17th, 2024 from 2:30-4:30 at the Japanese American Service Committee: “Intergenerational Conversations: Ripples of the Past”; a workshop on intergenerational conversations for the Nikkei community. Advanced registration required : https://bit.ly/dor2024intergenconvos 
• Sunday, February 18th, 2024 from 2-4PM at the Chicago History Museum: “Japanese American Incarceration; Healing Histories Across Generations”; this Day of Remembrance main event will feature a conversation between Midwest based keynote speakers Jami Nakamura Lin, author of “The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir,”and Dr. Donna Nagata, researcher of intergenerational impact from Japanese American incarceration. Advanced registration is required: https://7615a.blackbaudhosting.com/7615a/Day-of-Remembrance-18Feb2024  
• Sunday, February 18th, 2024 from 2-4PM at the Chicago History Museum: An interactive children’s program, “Healing Through Generations” will occur at the same time as the main event offering interactive stations to learn and connect with incarceration history. This program is for preschool through 6th graders and their caregivers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Youth ages 7th grade and up can attend individually. Advanced registration is NOT required for this event. The children's program is a drop in event; stay as long as you like!

All events are free and open to the public. However, the February 17th workshop is meant specifically for Japanese American and Nikkei identified individuals. Advanced registration is required for the workshop and main event. Registration and more information can be found on the DOR website.: https://chicagodor.wordpress.com.

This event is sponsored by the Chicago Japanese American Council, the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, the Japanese American Citizens League – Chicago Chapter, the Japanese American Service Committee, and the Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago.



For questions, contact JACL Chicago Program Director, Rebecca Ozaki at rebecca@jaclchicago.org or 773-728-7171.

Learn Japanese in the new year at the JASC! Join an ongoing class. Classes are offered at all levels in both online and in-person formats. Take a trial class at no cost. For full details click here. Kay Kawaguchi can help determine the best class for you or answer any questions. Reach her at the JASC office, (773) 275-0097, ext. 226, or by email classes@jasc-chicago.org.

Applications for JASC Scholarships for the 2024-25 Academic Year are now available! Click here for details, guidelines, and the application form. Applications are due by 5 pm on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Legacy Center Service Changes

Due to JASC’s planned move and upcoming staffing changes, the JASC Legacy Center is temporarily suspending all public services. This means that until further notice, we are unable to provide any of the following:

• Reference service
• Research appointments
• Reproduction services
• Programming and outreach
• Donation consultations

This service disruption is necessary in order for Legacy Center staff to prepare the collections to be moved as safely as possible. Service will resume and new donations will be accepted as soon as the move has been completed and new staff have been hired. At present, there is no exact date for re-opening.

During this period, we recommend consulting our wealth of digital resources and the recommended resources list on our new website.

We thank you for your understanding and patience!