Japanese Cooking Event

Dive into the art of Japanese cuisine at our exclusive Japanese Cooking Event on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm CST. Join us for a culinary adventure where you'll master the secrets of making California Rolls and Miso Soup from scratch.

Limited to just ten participants (JET alumni and Friends of JET welcome), this hands-on experience guarantees personalized attention as you hone your sushi-rolling skills and perfect the art of making miso soup. Secure your spot today with a refundable deposit of $5.00 — a small price to pay for the unforgettable expertise you'll gain!

Sign up here!

Please contact Joe Palermo at networking@jetaachicago.com with any questions.

Introducing our 2024-2025 Officers - Outreach Lead, Constance Judd

We would like to introduce you to your JETAA Chicago Leadership Team for the 2024-2025 term! This series of officer profiles will give you a closer look at each officer's role responsibilities, motivations for pursuing a leadership role in JETAA Chicago, goals for this year, insights into their personalities, and more.

Our Outreach Lead, Constance Judd (she/her), was an ALT in Kochi from 2018-2020.

Tell us more about your JET experience.

I was an ALT placed in Shimanto Town in Kochi Prefecture. JET for me was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I got the opportunity to explore who I was and build lifelong friendships and relationships with those around me. I truly enjoyed my time in Japan and not one day passes that I don’t think about that small town located in the mountains that stole my heart.

When did you join/how long have you been on the JETAA Chicago Leadership Board? If applicable: what positions have you held and when? 

I joined in 2021 as the Outreach Lead.

What skills and experience do you bring to the JETAA Chicago leadership team?

Organizing the Survival Series.

What inspired you to step up as a leader and join the JETAA Chicago Board?

JET was an amazing experience and truly changed my life and the direction I wanted to take professionally. Post JET, I now work in higher education supporting languages, literature, and cultures.

What is the essence/purpose of your role? (if you're a new officer, tell us more about what you are looking forward to in your officer role on the JETAA Chicago board)

To connect Outgoing JETs and keep the alumni connection strong within the JET community.

Since our officers must embody and practice our Community Conduct and Agreements, which principle do you think is the most important, and/or which one resonated with you the most?

Stay Engaged, Actively Listen.

What is something you want to accomplish and/or focus on in your role as an officer?

Moving the Survival Series back into an in-person format.

For you, what sparks joy?

• My cat Dotty

• Eating Good Food

• Playing Animal Crossing

• Sketching

• Reading

What is your favorite Japanese "thing" near where you live now (and/or in the Midwest)?

Takoyaki

Connect with Constance via Linkedin!

Ikebana Walk with the Japanese Culture Center

The Japanese Culture Center, in partnership with the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce and Japanese Arts Foundation, is hosting a free Ikebana Walking Exhibition this July 20th and 21st in the Southport Corridor in Lakeview (the historical Japanese and Japanese-American epicenter of Chicago).  Ikebana instructors and artists from two different schools of Ikebana (Ikenobo and Ohara Ryu) will install flower arrangements in over a dozen locations.  In addition, there will be Ikebana themed, avant-garde Japanese calligraphy and origami flower arrangements on display at some participating locations.  This event is generously sponsored by SSA 27 and Melissa & John Ziberna.

Find more information about this event on Eventbrite.