Come to the JASC tomorrow, Friday, February 24 at 6 pm, and support the nonprofit organization Care for Real’s fight against food insecurity. Enjoy soup made by volunteers, rice made by JASC staff, and a community meal for a good cause.

Questions? Want to volunteer to bring soup?

Contact Jenn Trautvetter, 773-275-0097, ext. 228 or jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org. Or use an online form to let Jenn know what you plan to bring by clicking here.

Registration opens Monday, February 27 for Spring Session of Donguri Kai Japanese language classes. The first of six classes begin the week of April 17. Register online here for all levels from beginner to advanced. Beginner class offered both in-person at JASC and online formats. Email Kaori Taibon with questions at donguri@jasc-chicago.org. Classes limited to a maximum of 8 students. Registration closes April 9.

On March 1st, gather with others to discuss survival, resilience, intergenerational pain, collective memory, and healing. Engage in collaborative, creative activities to explore ways of healing both new and old. The program will be held at JASC, 4427 N. Clark Street, Chicago, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

The program facilitator is Sasha Vasilou, who is currently a clinical mental health counseling student at Northwestern University and will lead a set of collaborative activities informed by her studies in multicultural counseling, person-centered techniques, and historical trauma. She invites you to come for an evening of discussion and artistic expression activities. Please email Sasha at avasilou@gmail.com with any questions about the event and to let her know you plan to attend.

Celebrate Hinamatsuri learning to make suhama (a type of Japanese sweet wagashi) with Wagashi Master, Toshiko Sugii Steffes at the JASC! Hinamatsuri (Dolls Day) is March 3 and what better way to celebrate than learning to make a set of Hina–ningyo (Emperor and Empress dolls) out of suhama. Attendees will make the wagashi dolls as well Bonbori (Lantern shaped sweets) and Hishi-mochi (Diamond shaped cakes of three colors).

Date: Friday, March 3, 2023

Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Pre-event Tea Time from 5:30 pm with tea and light refreshments

Cost: $45 for JASC Members, $55 for Non-members

Bring a Friend Discount: $80 (JASC Members), $100 (Non-Members) when you register two people at the same time

Click here for details and to register.

Announcing Tea Talks!

Calling all active older adults! Come to the JASC for monthly gatherings with a variety of presenters. This program is free and will offer light refreshments. Come Tuesday, March 14, at 2 pm to hear representatives from Great Lakes Clinical Trails present on Brain Health and offer memory screenings. Details and register by clicking here. Contact Jenn Trautvetter by email jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org or call her at (773) 275-0097 ext. 226 with questions or to register by phone. 

Register now for JASC’s Kids Day Off Camp Japanese Sweets Class on Friday, March 17 for children (ages 6 – 12). This Day Camp is a fun cooking class learning about traditional nerikiri, a type of Japanese sweets made with white bean jam. Campers will make several pieces and have the option to order a bento lunch for $2. Register now online by clicking here.

WHEN: Friday, March 17, 2023, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

WHERE: JASC

FEE: JASC Member: $40; Non-JASC Member: $50

JASC Language Classes can be joined at any time. For details on all levels of classes offered click here. Contact Kay Kawaguchi at the JASC office, (773) 275-0097, ext. 226, or by email classes@jasc-chicago.org with any questions and for help determining which class is right for you. 

JASC is partnering with Yo! Camp to offer a one-week overnight camp experience in California this summer to rising 5th to 9th graders July 2 – 9, 2023.

Join the fun at Camp Gilmore!

• Spend one week in the Malibu mountains, celebrate the Japanese American community, and make friends from all over the country.
• Campers will travel as a group from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to Los Angeles and shuttle together to camp accompanied at all times by trained counselors.
• Food, activities, lodging, and travel are all included for the price of $899.
• Learn more online at https://yo-camp.webflow.io/region/illinois
• Contact Jenn at the JASC office. (jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org or 773-275-0097 ext. 228) with any questions or for additional information.

Chicago Northside Origami Group

There is a $5 fee per folder to be paid each time, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (no charge for non-folding adults). Please bring paper for folding, and any models or books you would like to share.

All skill levels welcome!

For more information and future dates, please contact:

June Yamasaki, june.yamasaki@gmail.com

Please note, masks are required in all public areas of JASC.