JASC - Japanese American Service Committee

05/28/2026

Looking for a fun and meaningful weekend activity for your child next month? 🍜☀️

Our upcoming Kids Cooking Class at JASC is a hands-on way for children ages 6–14 to build confidence in the kitchen, try new foods, and learn simple Japanese dishes they can recreate at home with family. Parents and caregivers are also welcome to assist during class, making this a wonderful shared experience for everyone!

June’s theme is: Kids Summer Favorites: Chop, Mix, and Chill!

Together, participants will prepare a refreshing Japanese summer meal featuring:
🥢 Hiyashi Chuka (Summer Cold Ramen)
🥕 Fried Summer Veggies in Dashi (Agebitashi)
🍉 Fruit Punch dessert

It’s a fun introduction to seasonal Japanese cooking, encourages independence and creativity in the kitchen, and even helps solve Sunday dinner plans!

📍 Sunday, June 7
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
👧 Ages 6–14
💲 $55 JASC Members | $65 Non-Members

We still have spots available and would love to cook with you this summer! Register here or through the link in our bio: https://form.jotform.com/243094172880156

05/26/2026

The stories of the Nisei soldiers continue to leave a lasting impact across generations.

Defining Courage is an immersive live multimedia experience honoring the legacy of the Nisei soldiers — Japanese Americans who served in segregated WWII military units while their families faced incarceration and discrimination at home.

Through eyewitness accounts, stunning visuals, and live original music, the production brings these extraordinary yet often overlooked stories to life.

Featuring Emmy Award-winning journalist David Ono alongside Grammy-winner Daniel Ho, songwriter Harold Payne, and the RAISE Choir, this powerful performance reflects on sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring impact of those who fought for a country that did not always recognize them as fully American.

📍 Chicago Performance
Sunday, September 20, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sponsorship opportunities are now available, and general admission tickets go on sale July 1, 2026.

Learn more about this moving project at: https://definingcourageshow.com/

05/22/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, JASC will be closed on Monday, May 25 as we honor and remember those who served and sacrificed.

We also encourage community members to attend the annual Memorial Day Service hosted by the Japanese Mutual Aid Society at Montrose Cemetery at 11:00 AM. For generations, the Japanese Mutual Aid Society has provided compassionate support to Chicago’s Japanese American community through funeral assistance, memorial services, and community care rooted in dignity and tradition. Their annual service remains an important space for remembrance and reflection.

As we reflect this Memorial Day, we invite you to explore JASC Legacy Center’s online exhibit, Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service, 1941–1952. While many are familiar with the stories of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Japanese American linguists of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) played a critical — and often overlooked — role during World War II. Using their language skills and cultural knowledge, Nisei soldiers assisted with translation, intelligence gathering, prisoner interrogations, and peacekeeping efforts during and after the war, even while many of their own families remained incarcerated in U.S. camps.

The exhibit highlights both the extraordinary contributions and personal sacrifices of these servicemen, whose stories remained largely untold for decades.

Learn more through the JASC Legacy Center online exhibit: https://jasc-chicago.org/winning-the-peace/

05/21/2026

🎬 Samurai Movie Nights are back! ⚔️🍿

The Japanese Mutual Aid Society (JMAS) and the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) are excited to revive this beloved community tradition—once hosted at Francis Parker School—with a special screening of Yojimbo at JASC!

Join us on Friday, June 12 at 6 PM for an evening of classic Japanese cinema, popcorn, drinks, and community connection. Whether you grew up attending Samurai Movie Nights or are experiencing them for the first time, we hope you’ll join us for this fun and nostalgic evening together.

This event also serves as a joint fundraiser supporting both JMAS and JASC.

RSVP Here or through the link in our bio: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260836324644156

🎟️ Bring your friends, enjoy a legendary film, and help support our community organizations!

05/19/2026

Thank you to Chicago Public Schools for inviting JASC to participate in this year’s AAPI Heritage Month exhibition as a Japan cultural table!🇯🇵🌸

Hosted by the Office of Multilingual–Multicultural Education, this beautiful exhibition celebrates the many diverse cultures, traditions, and stories that make up the AAPI community. We are always honored to share Japanese and Japanese American culture, history, and community with the people of Chicago and are excited to take part in opportunities for multicultural learning, connection, and celebration.

Throughout AAPI Heritage Month, these cultural tables and displays highlight communities from across Asia and the Pacific Islands while encouraging greater understanding and appreciation of our shared diversity.

We are so happy to celebrate alongside the many participating cultural groups, educators, organizers, and community partners who helped bring this exhibition to life and showcase the richness of our communities!

05/15/2026

NEW Workshop at JASC! ✨

Join us on Friday, May 29 from 1:00–3:00 PM for an afternoon exploring the traditional Japanese arts of Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) and Ikkanbari!🖌

Participants will learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy using brush and ink while also getting hands-on experience with Ikkanbari, a traditional craft technique that layers washi paper onto baskets and other materials to create beautiful, durable pieces.

Whether you’re interested in Japanese arts, looking to try something creative, or simply want a relaxing afternoon activity, we hope you’ll join us!

Click here to register today: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261326114224142

We’re excited to continue offering more workshops like this in the future. If you’d be interested in evening or weekend cultural workshops, let us know in the comments below 👇

05/14/2026

On May 5th, we welcomed families to JASC for our Children’s Day Open House! Throughout the afternoon, kids and families enjoyed a variety of fun activities including origami, storytelling, crafts, and even trying on samurai helmets.🎏

Guests also got to enjoy snacks and a special Children’s Day treat: Kashiwa Mochi — a traditional rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in an oak leaf, which symbolizes strength, longevity, and family prosperity.✨

We had such a wonderful time celebrating and sharing Japanese culture with everyone who joined us. Thank you to all the families and community members who stopped by and made the day so special!❤️

Stay tuned for more children’s programs and cultural events coming up soon — we hope to see you again soon! 🎏

05/13/2026

Volunteers are needed for this Saturday's Spaghetti Dinner at RFUMC!

This event is a great way to support the community while enjoying a tasty meal with wonderful people. If you or anyone you know is available to volunteer, please contact John Davis at 808-779-5839 or [email protected]

🍝 Volunteers Needed for Our Spaghetti Dinner! 🍝

Join us on May 16 from 4:00–7:00 PM as we gather for a fun evening of food and fellowship! We are looking for volunteers to help with cooking, serving, setup, cleanup, and welcoming guests.

If you would like to help, please click the sign-up link below. Thank you for supporting RFUMC ministry and community! ❤️

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nzH2MLtvC0GRRnpNsnrxstQ4OFFunRiRgjCkJCQTKE8/edit?usp=sharing

05/12/2026

⚾ LAST CHANCE to grab tickets with JASC for the first-ever Japanese Heritage Game at Wrigley Field on June 17! 🐻⬇️

Join the Chicago Japanese American Council (CJAC) for a fun night of baseball, community, and celebration as the Cubs host this special heritage event!

🎟️ Tickets purchased through our group link include:
✨ Seating in CJAC’s group section
✨ A special-edition Cubs Japanese Heritage Jersey

Jersey sizes available: M, XL, XXL

If you’d like to sit together with friends or family, please make sure everyone in your party is included in ONE form submission. We cannot guarantee adjacent seating for separate orders.

⏰ Ticket sales close THIS Thursday, May 14 at 5 PM CST — don’t wait!

Buy your tickets here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/250965442398064 or through the link in our bio!

We hope to celebrate with you at Wrigley! ⚾

05/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Shared Stories, Shared Future: An Educator Symposium on AANHPI Histories in partnership with the Field Museum on May 1–2!

We were honored to help create a meaningful two-day experience centered on education, community, and the importance of sharing AANHPI histories. Friday evening’s reception at JASC brought together educators, community members, and partners for an evening of conversation and connection featuring remarks and discussion from Jeff Uchida, Josina Morita, Kaz Maniwa, filmmaker Jon Osaki, and Ria Pretekin, Learning Resources Educator with the Cyrus Tang Foundation. The evening also included reflections connected to the documentary Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, co-directed by Jon Osaki.

Guests also enjoyed sake tasting from Konbini and Kanpai, literature curated by Restoried Bookshop, and delicious sushi and gyoza from M Square Catering, Inc. The evening concluded with tours of JASC and our Legacy Center, where archivist Ayako Yoshimura shared artifacts and stories from Japanese American incarceration and postwar resettlement in Chicago.

Saturday’s symposium at the Field Museum featured a viewing of Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, inspiring breakout sessions, community partners, and an incredible performance by Ho Etsu Taiko. JASC was proud to participate as a Cultural Activation Table while continuing conversations about how AANHPI histories can be brought into classrooms and educational spaces for future generations.

A sincere thank you to the Field Museum and all of the organizations, educators, artists, speakers, and community members who helped make this symposium such a success. We are grateful to be part of this growing network working toward greater visibility, access, and understanding of AANHPI histories.