80's Night! Cross-Generational JET Alumni Happy Hour - Oct. 8th

In honor of the JET Program being a child of the 1980’s...

On Thursday (10/8), JETAA Chicago is kickin' it old school for an evening of casual conversation and fun community building with fellow JET alumni from across three generations at our virtual happy hour.

We invite our fellow JET alumni from our local, national and global communities to join us in having a #ThrowbackThursday together, connecting across 33 years of JET experience and corss-cultural exchange. #JETogether2020

RSVP via Guestlist is required.

For more information and to join the fun*: https://guestlist.co/events/658596

Theme: 80's NIGHT!**

Knowledge and nostalgia from that 1980's is encouraged and welcomed - including but not limited to: fashion, music, movies, zoom backgrounds, accessories and more!

Remember to mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE (Thursday, October 8th, 2020) here are some of the details:

• Zoom room opens at 6:00PM CST

• Please feel free to BYOBeverage*** (and/or Food) as the event will officially kick-off with a "KANPAI!" at around 6:30PM CST

• We plan to have a few fun and interactive icebreakers/activities along with announcements of future events and happenings in our chapter throughout the evening

*This event is only for JET alumni and 2020 Outgoing JETs - in the USA and worldwide.

**80's attire is optional, but if you'd like or are able to dress to the theme...why not? :) ***Drinking an alcoholic beverage is not required - water, soft drinks or tea/coffee will do just fine! Especially if you are a fellow JET alum who is joining us during the morning/daytime. #nomikai

A Look Back to Move Forward: The modern day importance of Hiroshima & Nagasaki - Sept. 23rd Event

This past August marked the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. In commemoration of this monumental moment in history, join JETAA Chicago for a nuanced discussion on the historical legacy of these cities, with a focus on the present this Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 at 8PM CST/6PM PST.

We will be joined by Koko Kondo, a peace activist and survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing whose father was prominently featured in John Hersey’s seminal Hiroshima, and three guest speakers who will answer the question: “Why should we care now?”:

• Yuki Miyamoto, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies & Global Asian Studies at DePaul University

• Tom Le, an Assistant Professor of Politics at Pomona College

• Saira Chambers, Founding Director of the Japanese Arts Foundation

This event is organized by JETAA Chicago (Illinois, Wisconsin & Indiana, with support from JETAASC (Southern California & Arizona), and we will be joined by students from DePaul University and Pomona College. This is a public event that is free and open to all JET alumni as well as Friends of JETs (FOJs).

For more information and to register via Guestlist: https://guestli.st/662151

Let's join JETAANC's Film Appreciation Club Discussion of Godzilla (1954)

JETAA of Northern California & Nevada (JETAANC) has invited the JETAA Chicago community for a casual film discussion about Godzilla (1954) this Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 8:00PM CST/6:00PM PST.

The JETAANC Film Club events works similar to a book club, rather than a watch party. Attendees are to watch film separately then meet to casually discuss the movie over Zoom with fellow JET alumni (and Friend of JET [FOJ] or two) from all over! More information and Zoom link/password via JETAANC's Film Appreciation Club Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jetaamovies/ and/or reach out to organizer, Akiyo at Secretary@jetaachicago.com

The 1954 film Godzilla kicked off the longest continuously running movie franchise in world history, but this classic, first film is still considered by many to be the best.

Godzilla (1954)* is streaming on Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Criterion Channel, and is available to rent on Apple ($3.99) and Amazon ($2.99). Watch the movie at your own leisure before the meeting.

*Make sure to get the original 1954 Japanese film "Godzilla," NOT any of the many (many, many) sequels and spin-offs or American remakes.There are actually two versions of this film in circulation Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters!. The latter is an "Americanized" version that edits an entirely new character into the story (played by Raymond Burr) and kind of reshapes the focus of the movie's entire narrative. Also, please do not subject yourself to the 1990s American film...*