September Book Club Meeting - Snow Country

A new twist on an old favorite! The JETAA Chicago and Japan America Society of Chicago YPC Book Club continues in 2024 with a meeting in September!

Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19th!

Our book club highlights voices and stories with a solid connection to Japan. For our next meeting, we have chosen Snow Country. Written by Yasunari Kawabata, the recipient of the 1968 Nobel Prize for Literature. In September's pick, a wealthy dilettante meets Komako, a lowly geisha. She gives herself to him fully and without remorse, despite knowing that their passion cannot last and that the affair can have only one outcome. In chronicling the course of this doomed romance, Kawabata has created a story for the ages, a stunning novel dense in implication and exalting in its sadness.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the book and join us for an evening of casual discussion in a virtual space via Zoom! Registrations are limited, so grab a spot while you can!

Sign up here!

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@jetaachicago.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Volunteers needed for the Japanese Community Picnic, co-hosted by the Japanese American Service Committee

The Japanese American Service Committee is co-hosting a Japanese Community Picnic this Saturday, August 3rd and they need volunteers! They especially need help with setting up from 9-11 am. To sign up to volunteer, please use the Google Forms link below.

https://forms.gle/2MeXsXiFQ4kgtyVx9

Find the event description below. More information is also available in the attached PDF.

jpicnic 2024 flyer

.pdf

Download PDF • 1.75MB

The Chicago Japanese Community and Friends are invited to share in a day of games, sports, sunshine, good times, food, and more!!

Bring a dish that's big enough for your family (plus a little more) and share with everyone at our community food table buffet. We'll supply roast pig, hotdogs, hamburgers, and other great eats. Grills, charcoal, and limited beverages provided. BYOB allowed (beer and wine, etc) but NO GLASS containers.

The non-stop fun begins at 11am and includes:

-- games for kids and adults

-- Karaoke (from 11am-4pm)

-- volleyball, softball, and tug-of-war

The event is free! Co-hosted by CJAC (Chicago Japanese American Council) organizations and Tohkon Dojo. Hope to see you there!

Introducing our 2024-2025 Officers - Wisconsin Subchapter Lead, Adrianna Cruz

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 Wisconsin Subchapter Lead, Adrianna Cruz (she/her), was an ALT in Kyoto from 2009-2014.

Tell us more about your JET experience.

I spent 5 exciting years living in Fukuchiyama-shi in northern Kyoto. I taught as an ALT in two High Schools and one special needs school. Since I lived in the countryside, I was able to connect with many of the locals to learn and experience the language and culture. Many of my best memories happened in Japan on the JET Program, and I am grateful to have made so many amazing friends there.

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

WI Subchapter Representative since 2019.

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

I like to organize events and have had many opportunities to do so in my life. I enjoy planning relaxed gatherings that encourage sharing about JET and Japan experiences.

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

I always enjoyed attending the Wisconsin meetings. I could reminisce about Japan and it was fun to travel to other cities around the state and meet up with others to do something new. I hope our subchapter can stay strong and active, so when Joette asked if I could start planning some meetings, of course I said yes.

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)

Our subchapter is fairly small, but I enjoy planning the quarterly meetings, the activities at Anime Milwaukee, and other JETogethers. When I can, traveling down to Chicago for events is always fun, as well.

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' is a good one for me. Listening is something I think people in general could do more of to gain understanding.

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

I have enjoyed connecting with other JETs and organizing ways for us all to be involved in Wisconsin post-JET. Getting connected for events like Japan Fest and Anime Milwaukee panels has been rewarding.

For you, what sparks joy?

• Japanese Food

• Good music

• Travel

• Reading

• Learning languages

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

Milwaukee Japanese Association, a group of people committed to celebrating their Japanese culture. It is fun to attend their events.

Connect with Adrianna via LinkedIn or email!