Bi-Weekly Newsletter
January 1, 2021 - January 15, 2021
新年あけましておめでとうございます。Happy New Year
We wish you health, safety, joy and a deeper connection with the US/Japan community in 2021.

The past year has presented many challenges, inspiring us to innovate our programs like never before. We all witnessed the power of connection and discovered our own resilience this last year, and we believe our community is stronger and more globalized as a result. We are happy to embark on another year of adventure with all of you, and we can't wait to see soon in our virtual programs!

To welcome the New Year, enjoy Japanese New Year song in the video below!
Thank you Christopher Ellars, JSB intern (Voice Performance Major at Boston University) and Emma Trowbridge (Film Scoring Major at Berklee College of Music) for this wonderful contribution to our newsletter!
More Ways to Help

If you would like to make a donation to JSB to further our programming, we would greatly appreciate your support! Please use this link to make a one-time donation to JSB.

You can also contribute through your Amazon purchases! Every time you shop through Amazon Smile, a small percentage of your purchase is donated to the non-profit of your choice. Please consider choosing the Japan Society of Boston as your non-profit.
With our new 4-week workshop format, perfect your Japanese writing skills while exploring various topics, from hiragana to self-introductions! This four week session includes a Zoom meeting introducing the writing prompt, two rounds of proofreading your draft via emails, and a final Zoom meeting as a conclusion to reflect on your composition. Students at the Beginner and Intermediate levels are welcome to register today! 
Keep up with JSB on social media!
Japan Society of Boston Online Events
Celebrate the New Years AND help choose JSB's 2021 programs!
Friday, January 15, 2021
7:00 - 8:00 PM EST

We'll be kicking off the New Year with a shinnenkai for our members! Join us for a New Year Celebration party and meet fellow JSB members, as well as our staff and interns. We'll meet over Zoom in small groups and share our love of US/Japan connections! The evening will also include an opportunity for our members to help decide some of the programmings we will be bringing in 2021.

Not a member yet? No worries! Sign up for JSB membership today and receive a book by Pico Iyer!
Starting Wednesday, January 20, 2021 for 5 days (Virtual Screening)
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 7:00 PM EST (Discussion)

Back by popular demand! If you missed the Boston premiere screening one year ago, we are partnering with Vilna Shul to host the film again! 

Join film director Cellin Gluck, Sugihara Diplomats for Life Foundation Chairman Linas Venclauskas, and a Facing History & Ourselves expert for a discussion on the unknown story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat (sometimes called the Schindler of Japan). What influenced his decision to issue over 2,000 visas to Jewish refugees in Kaunas, Lithuania resulting in saving the lives of over 6,000 people?

The film will be available starting Wednesday, January 20 for only 5 days. The film follows Sugihara's life from his early days in Manchuria to his eventual posting in Lithuania and his appointment with destiny which would forever brand him a hero. Watch it at your convenience, and then join us Saturday evening for the panel discussion. 

Please check out the film on the official film website (Japanese only) and the Nippon TV website for the film (English only).
Virtual New Year Celebration Videos with the Boston Children's Museum!
Coming this month!

In lieu of an in-person New Year's celebration held at the Boston Children's Museum every year, we are bringing you three Facebook videos with the Boston Children's Museum to kick off the New Year!

The first video will cover お節 (osechi), or New Year foods. More information will be provided in upcoming newsletters!
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
6:00 - 8:00 PM EST

Do you love Japanese literature? Our goal at the JSB Member Book Club is to strengthen the Boston community of Japan enthusiasts by coming together to discuss Japanese works. Join us for a conversation about Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata.

Our book club is limited to members only, but don't worry, you can sign up here today! If you are already a member and interested in the group, please contact us to have your name added to the club mailing list.
Saturday, January 30, 2021
5:00 - 6:00 PM EST
$10 JSB Members / $15 Non-members
Hosted online via Zoom

Yosenabe (寄せ鍋) is a combination Japanese hot pot made with just about any kind of meat, seafood, or vegetables. This tasty dish is very easy to make, and a great way to stay warm this winter! Yose (寄せ) comes from yoseru, meaning "to gather" or "bring together," and nabe (鍋) is the word for pot.

JSB volunteer Masayo Kawaguchi is excited to teach you her favorite yosenabe recipe! Be sure to bring your appetite for this next installment of our Easy Japanese Home Cooking series! We look forward to seeing you there!

Masayo Kawaguchi was born in Fukuoka and grew up in Osaka and Tokyo. In Japan, she was a singer and an actor. She lived in New York for over 20 years, where she worked as an actor (a SAG-AFTRA member), a voice actor for anime, and then later, focused on reporting as a TV journalist. She moved to Boston a few years ago, and has been an enthusiastic volunteer at the Japan Society of Boston.

Friday, January 8, 2021
6:00 to 8:00 PM EST

Hosted online via Zoom
(you will be sent the meeting code after registering)

Please join us for two hours of conversation, where you will be grouped based on your proficiency level. We hope you will take part in our community as we strive to bridge Japanese and American cultures.

The JSB Language Room is currently free for all. To help us continue offering our language exchange, please consider making a donation or becoming a member today!
Notes from JSB
Photos from our last cooking event!
Thank you to everyone who joined our latest cooking class! JSB volunteer Akiko Ghosh taught a tasty katsukare recipe, and we loved seeing your results! Here are a couple of photos from participants! 美味しそうですね。
Above: Photo from Alison Bridger, who used Beyond Sausage for her vegetarian katsukare!
Left: Photo from Sara Clevering