LehighValley-JAJAJA

03/04/2026

Hi friends! Check out this awesome show - featuring Japanese Taiko Drum performance!
The beat of the drums will speak to your soul and energize you!

Check them out at the Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette College!

TAIKOPROJECT’s powerful drumming unites ancient Japanese tradition with 21st century American innovation to create a riot of movement and thundering rhythm. ...

02/09/2026

Thanks for everyone who braved the minus freezing 🥶 weather yesterday to bring heart warming delicious food to share with our community! We celebrated the beginning of a new year, a new revival of the Lehigh Valley JAJAJA community, with great enthusiasm and energy! 💞 🎍

The Bethlehem Tondabayashi Sister City Commission presented on the history of the 60+years of sister city relationship! Thanks for being a great partner. Looking forward to the Sakura Matsuri on 3/28! 🌸

So many incredible connections were made! We look forward to our next gathering! 🇺🇸 ❤️ 🇯🇵

02/09/2026

Thanks for everyone who braved the minus freezing 🥶 weather yesterday to bring heart warming delicious food to share with our community! We celebrated the beginning of a new year, a new revival of the Lehigh Valley JAJAJA community, with great enthusiasm and energy!

The Bethlehem Tondabayashi Sister City Commission presented on the history of the 60+years of sister city relationship! Thanks for being a great partner. Looking forward to the Sakura Matsuri on 3/28!

So many incredible connections were made! We look forward to our next gathering!

02/03/2026

New year, same community 💛🎍
Join the Lehigh Valley JAJAJA community for a Shinnenkai potluck as we welcome the New Year with gratitude, connection, and plenty of delicious dishes. We especially welcome new community members—this is a wonderful way to meet, share, and celebrate together! ✨🥢

📩 Please RSVP by emailing: [email protected]

PotluckParty CelebrateTogether NewBeginnings

09/13/2025

This has been a labor of love and a true testament to the power of a few passionate people making a wave of impact across our community!

Join us today at 1pm at the to celebrate with us!m and to promote a message for peace for the next generation!

09/13/2025

Join us today at 1pm at Payrow Plaza right in front of the Bethlehem Area Public Library (11W Church St) 🎉!

As we commemorate the two milestones:
⭐️ The 80th r anniversary to the end of World War II
⭐️ The 60+ years of sisters city friendship between Bethlehem, PA and Tondabayashi, Japan

From Taiko Drums performance, to Japanese Shodo calligraphy, to The unveiling of a massive peace mural ☮️, to mayoral addresses from cities of Bethlehem, Tondabayshi to Hiroshima to Nagasaki, to live performances by talented classical and folks musicians, our peace project is a culmination of the community coming together under one cause: to promote peace and unity and to inspire the next generation!

Thanks to our incredible supporters and sponsors:

And many others from the community!

08/14/2025

🌸 A day for peace, music & connection 🌸
On Sept. 13, 2025, Bethlehem comes alive with a powerful two-part event marking 80 years since WWII’s end & 60+ years of Sister City friendship with Tondabayashi, Japan.

🎶 Afternoon – Sister City Peace Concert : 1- 4pm at the
Bethlehem Area Public Library
Historic violins that survived Hiroshima & the Holocaust.
Udi Bar-David (Philadelphia Orchestra) & Japanese taiko drummers.
Kids Guernica mural unveiling.
International food & community connection.

🎻 Evening – Strings of Hope Concert: 8pm at the Brith Sholom in Bethlehem, PA
For an emotional multimedia storytelling of two WWII-survivor violins.
Stories spanning Hiroshima, Vienna, Warsaw & Shanghai.
Live music, film & spoken word that will stay with you.

💌 Join us for this unforgettable celebration of resilience, remembrance & hope.
Register at
https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/bethlehem-peace-project-22924

03/12/2025

Hi Lehigh Valley! The cherry blossom season is right around the corner!

Come celebrate the Sakura ( cherry blossom season) with us at the Bethlehem Cherry Blossom 🌸 Festival on April 5!

📍Bethlehem Public Library-Garden of Serenity
⏰ 12pm -4pm

Hosted by the Bethlehem Tondabayashi Suster Cury Commission

To learn more, check out the sute here:

https://www.bethlehemsistercity.org/

See you there!!

03/04/2025

Next week March 12, check out this performance at the Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette!

Yumi Kurosawa was born and raised in a traditional Japanese music environment, taking up the koto from a young age and rising fast to the upper echelons of her craft. For this trio, Yumi is joined by violinist Naho Parrini and percussionist Yousif Sheronick. The program features exhilarating new com...

03/15/2024

Save the Date Lehigh Valley!
It’s that time of year again where the Bethlehem Tondabayashi Sister City Commission celebrates its 60years of the relationship with Japan with its annual Cherry Blossom 🌸 Festival on April 6, 2024!

Join us for some Japanese food & performances, arts & crafts, Kimono 👘 displays, green tea ceremony, and special visit by the Japanese Government Cultural Attaché in New York!

📍 Garden of Serenity -Bethlehem Public Library
⏰ 12pm-4pm

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10/05/2023

Repost from
•
The Political Division in the Consulate General of Japan in New York is seeking a highly organized and motivated, team-oriented individual for the full-time position of Research Assistant.

💻 Please read details below before applying: https://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/News_2023-10-04_job.html

How to Apply: Email your resume, cover letter and reference letter(s), if any to [email protected] by Fri. October 20, 2023. Please write “Research Assistant” in the subject line of your email. No phone calls. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.