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JASC Highlights:
- JASC welcomed over 400 visitors during Open House Chicago weekend! We thank everyone for their interest and support - A huge thank you to all of our volunteers that helped us welcome the community!
- Adult Day Services: In October, there are 6 birthday celebrations for clients over the age of 80! They are going on a field trip to enjoy a buffet for lunch.
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The Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) announces that CEO Courtney Sakai has left the organization effective October 20, 2025 to pursue other interests.
Courtney has served as CEO since October 2024 and oversaw the move to our new home and expanded capabilities at 5700 N. Lincoln Avenue. To ensure a seamless transition, long-time JASC Board Member Jeff Uchida will serve as Interim CEO, taking over all responsibilities.
Jeff is a senior Information Technology Executive now retired. He spent over 25 years with global companies in consumer goods, produce, retail grocery/foods and data insights / analytics leading large business and technology transformations / merger & acquisitions. A few of these companies were Unilever, Nielsen, A&P, Herbalife Nutrition and Mastronardi Produce. Jeff served on the JASC Board from 2010-2016 and is currently its Vice President.
We wish them both all the best in their next chapters. Please refer all questions to Jeff Uchida at juchida@jasc-chicago.org.
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JASC will be participating in International Game Day at the Chicago Botanic Garden this Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us for a fun Halloween-themed Origami activity where children and families can fold fun creations like Jack-o’-lanterns, and ghosts!
Come enjoy games and crafts that celebrate cultures from around the world, presented by the Chicago Cultural Alliance and its member organizations!
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Upcoming Onigiri Workshop at the Library!
We are inviting all teenagers to visit us at the Budlong Woods Library on Wednesday, November 5th to learn how to make a Japanese classic cultural dish: Onigiri! This is a great after-school program and snack opportunity!
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Join Tampopo Kai for Saturdays filled with fun!
This Saturday, October 25th, Tampopo kids will have a Sports Day and a Halloween Fashion Show!
It’s going to be a fun and busy day!
If there is anyone who is not a regular member of the program, but would like to join us, please email Naomi-sensei directly at tampopo@jasc-chicago.org to sign up for the day. She will send you the program in advance.
Tampopo registration: JASC Member-$20/class | JASC Non-Member-$25/class
Come check out the Tampopo Library - You may check out up to 5 books at a time, and borrow them for two weeks.
Tampopo Kai welcomes families of all backgrounds who are interested in Japanese culture and language. Our program is designed for anyone who wishes to introduce their children to a new culture, build bilingual skills from an early age, and connect with a warm, supportive community. We celebrate diversity and believe that a fully inclusive Tampopo Kai community helps us share a deeper love for Japanese culture, language, and traditions.
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Learn how to craft beautiful flower displays in the Ohara style with our Ikebana classes at JASC!
All levels are welcome - fundamentals are introduced and reinforced in every class for beginners and experts alike! Register today for a relaxing, educational cultural experience.
Register today for October classes!
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We’d love to see you at our next Youth Volunteer Meetings!
This is a great opportunity to get involved, connect with other youth, and support JASC events.
Come join us and bring your ideas and energy. We can’t wait to see you there!
The next meeting will be on Monday, November 3rd!
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Open House Chicago (October 18 - 19) was a blast! | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for JASC Open House Chicago!
Guests enjoyed Halloween Origami led by the Chicago Northside Origami Group, two graceful tea ceremony demonstrations by Remi Kimura and Mie Tamura, and an insightful Talk & Tour by Ms. Anna Ninoyu, AIA Principal & Owner, sharing the story behind JASC’s building design.
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Venues
Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7: Midwest Buddhist Temple
*Parking restricted after 6 p.m. There is a structure at North and Wells or SpotHero. There is limited metered parking, but check time limitations.
Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9: Japanese American Service Committee (JASC)
*Parking at JASC lot (entrance Lincoln Ave) or at St Padre Pio Parish lot (entrance California St) - please note that there may be limited availability in the St. Padre Pio lot on Sunday
Ireicho in Chicago
Please join JASC, Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, JACL Chicago, the Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago, and many other Chicago Nikkei organizations, churches, and temples for two very special evening programs while the Ireicho is in Chicago.
The Ireicho is a book monument containing the names of 125,284 individuals of Japanese ancestry unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Learn more about the Ireicho project here: https://ireizo.org/ireicho/
Keynote Remarks by Rev. Dr. Duncan Ryuken Williams
Thursday, November 6th | 5-6:30pm | Midwest Buddhist Temple (435 W Menomonee St, Chicago, IL 60614)
Duncan Ryuken Williams, professor of religious studies and Director of the USC Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture, founded the Irei Project. He will discuss the creation of the Ireicho and the extensive research process his team undertook to create a memorial centered on making visible all who were incarcerated in the Japanese American WWII experience.
Closing Ceremony Celebrating Chicago's Japanese American Community
Sunday, November 9th | 5pm-6pm | Japanese American Service Committee (5700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659)
More than 20,000 Japanese Americans resettled to Chicago after their wartime incarceration. To close the Ireicho's journey to Chicago, please join community members and organizations to reflect on the impact of the incarceration on the Chicago Japanese American community. This program will feature an interfaith ceremony led by Rev. Patti Nakai and commentary by the co-sponsoring organizations.
Volunteer to support the Ireicho
We are also hoping to get volunteers who can support the visiting process and/or provide food to the staff and volunteers.
Volunteer to support the Ireicho in Chicago here
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We can't wait to welcome you to this year's Holiday Delight!
Stop by on November 22 for cultural performances, food from local vendors, and children's activities!
Visit our website to learn more! We are still looking for baked goods donation for our annual bake sale! If you are interested in donating, please let us know through our donation form:
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Interested in learning Japanese or building up your language skills?
JASC language classes are led by native Japanese speakers and are a great way to strengthen your comprehension with in-person and online options.
How do JASC Japanese classes work?
Our Beginners I and II classes operate in 4 sessions throughout the year with each session focusing on 3 chapters in the Genki I and II textbooks.
Beginners I Session 1 is the best match for introductory level Japanese, where students learn hiragana and basic vocabulary before building up to later sessions.
Join our Intermediate or Advanced Class - if you have studied Japanese for some time or have completed the Genki II textbook (or equivalent), you can try our higher level classes for more exposure and practice.
You can always join a class mid-session! It may require some self study of previous chapters to keep up with the class, but students can join sessions at any time so long as there is capacity.
Please reach out to Ruby at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org for additional information on language classes or to arrange for a free trial class.
The Intermediate and Advanced Conversation classes have new dates!
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Japanese Conversation Table:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
11月の日本語お話会は11月13日（木）です
開催日：11月13日
開催時間：午後1:00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 とルビー・グリリエー rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org
または電話：773-275-0097内線226, までご連絡ください。
Calling all native Japanese speakers to our monthly gathering of fellowship and connection 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: Thursday, November 13, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Cost: $5 per person, per session
Location: JASC 5700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL 60659
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. You may also reach out to Ruby Grillier at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org
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JASC’s Adult Day Services provides older adults with a safe, engaging environment that supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through customized care plans and daily activities like art, music, and dance. Located at 5700 N. Lincoln Ave., our program also offers respite for family caregivers and the added support of two on-staff Registered Nurses.
Interested in Adult Day Services?
For more information, you can contact us:
We urge prospective clients and their families to tour our new facility on 5700 N Lincoln Ave and check out this wonderful program.
| | | | 80th Anniversary Fundraiser: Eighty years ago, JACL Chicago was formed to support the civil rights and livelihoods of people of Japanese ancestry who moved to Chicago after the closing of the WWII incarceration camps. To honor this legacy and look towards the future, we invite you to join JACL Chicago to celebrate 80 years of community building, education, and advocacy! Visit our EventBrite page for more information and to purchase your tickets. | |
Volunteers Needed to Organize the 2026 Jerome Rohwer Pilgrimage
The Jerome Rohwer Committee is beginning to establish a task committee for the 2026 Pilgrimage. The following volunteer task committees are in need of assistance:
1. Communications--social media, design, outreach
2. Registration--organizing, answering questions, labels, tracking registrations, etc.
3. Programming--topic selection, contacting possible speakers, scheduling
4. Printed Program—artwork, content, printing
5. McGehee—Coordinate program (shortened to Obon, Taiko), community participation, Lunch, etc.
6. Volunteer Coordination—maintain database and schedule of all volunteers. Ensure that volunteers have tasks clearly defined at Pilgrimage, etc.
7. Intergenerational/Generational/Geographical—organize discussion groups
If you’d like to volunteer, please email info@jeromerohwer.org. They will supply the link with the signup document.
Thank you for volunteering to help make the 2026 Pilgrimage a success!
Learn more about the Jerome Rohwer Pilgrimage on their website: https://jeromerohwer.org/index.php
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Journey Chicago is almost over! Visit their calendar online!
JOURNEY CHICAGO is a series of events taking place throughout the month of October at cultural heritage centers across the city’s neighborhoods and suburbs. All events are open to the public, and all are low-cost or free. Journey Chicago represents one of the most important values of the Chicago Cultural Alliance: creating collaborative programming that fosters communication between cultures. That’s why every Journey Chicago event has been organized by two or more Members of the CCA working together to share their music, art, dance, stories, food, and cultural resources with you.
https://www.chicagoculturalalliance.org/about-journey-chicago/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT5Zk-ZlxJM
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Japan ICU Foundation Full Scholarship
Do you know of a student who could use comprehensive financial support for their education and would like to pursue their undergraduate education in Japan? If so, please share with them that the Nelson Ranch Scholarship is now accepting applications!
The Nelson Ranch Scholarship provides a full scholarship for undergraduate study at International Christian University.
What is Covered:
- Full tuition and fees for up to four years of undergraduate study
- On-campus accommodation (guaranteed housing in ICU on-campus dormitory)
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Airfare at the start and end of undergraduate studies
Who Can Apply:
- U.S. citizens (dual citizenship with Japan not eligible)
- Strong interest in Japan and liberal arts education
- Demonstrated financial need
- Commitment to Christianity
If you know an outstanding college-bound student interested in studying in Japan, please share this opportunity with them!
Don't let this opportunity pass by - applications are due November 1, 2025!
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Bass Dreams Minus B at Elastic Arts
Saturday, October 25th | Elastic Arts | 8:00PM
Elastic Arts, 3429 W Diversey Ave #208, Chicago, IL 60647
AIRMW presents Tatsu Aoki's Bass "Dreams minus B." The group is helmed by Aoki on Asuka Bass (it's the Asuka bass because it's autographed by past WWE champ Asuka), with Adam Shead on drums, and the brain-boggling duo of Rami Atassi and Terry Tanaka on electric guitars.
Where did it come from? "Bass Dreams minus B was inspired by all my favorite bassists and wrestlers," Aoki, master of understatement, explains. Specifically: “My top five Dee Murray, Kenny Gradney, Tiran Porter, John Paul Jones, and Malachi Favors !!!!” It's the dream of the bass player - dial up the groove, lock it in, and then have two master shredders fill every pocket. Not just the hip pockets and the breast pockets - pockets you can't see - inside pockets, surprise back pockets, lapel pockets. Every gap spied and excavated for maximum satisfaction.
We’re talking jamz, with a z. I was on it being like a 70s private press thing, fusion with a psychedelic hand drawn cover and lots of ringwear, but Tatsu set me straight. I had to head down to the local vinyl hole (shout out to Val’s Halla!) and pick up Little Feat’s live album, Waiting for Columbus (Tatsu said it’s “notorious”). Now I get it. Steal yr freakin face man. Tatsu’s been chasing this flow for decades, a swirly dream come true, not a B to be found but the boogie in your butt.
--Matt Pakulski, FPE Records, 2021"
For tickets and more information visit: https://elasticarts.org/events/airmw-arts-initiatives-presents-bass-dreams-minus-b
$20 - Tickets Available at the Door
Doors 8:00pm
Show 8:30pm
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30th Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival
November 7th - 10th | Elastic Arts (3429 W Diversey Ave #208, Chicago, IL 60647) & AIRMW Cultural Hub (4875 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630)
2025 Program
Friday, November 7th | Elastic Arts
Set 1 (8:30pm) Francis Wong and Chicago Time Code
Set 2 (9:30pm) Jeff Chan and Ratchet
Saturday, November 8th | AIRMW Cultural Hub
5:00PM CAAJF Panel Discussion
Saturday, November 8th | Elastic Arts
Set 1 (8:30pm) Ester Hana
Set 2 (9:30pm) Yoko Noge and Jazz Me Blues
Sunday, November 9th | Elastic Arts
Set 1 (7:30pm) Takahashi Shallow & Kiku Hibino
Set 2 (8:30pm) Chien-an Yuan and All Things Shining
Set 2 (9:30pm) Kioto Aoki, Haruhi Kobayashi and Mai Sugimoto Trio
Monday, November 10th | Elastic Arts
Set 1 (8:30pm) Tatsu Aoki's The MIYUMI Project
Tickets available at the door
More Details Here
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