Chapter Events - December 2021

Chapter Events – December 2021

**Page will be updated as new events are created**

We welcome corrections or omissions! Email us at contact@usjetaa.org!

Links to events in private/closed Facebook groups may not be available unless you are in the group.

WEEKLY/MONTHLY EVENTS

JETAANY Nihongo Dake Conversation Hour
Dates: Mondays
Time: 7:00 pm -8:00 pm EDT
Details: Join us virtually Mondays on Zoom to keep your Japanese language skills sharp. This chat is for Japanese speakers at the intermediate level or higher. Come join in on the fun! There’s no fee to participate.
Let others know you are going on Facebook: Event page (Dec. 6)
RSVP & Questions: contact Ashley via email

JETAA Southern California: Water Cooler – Every Tuesday at 12:00 PM PST via Zoom (passcode: 018586)

WFH blues got you down? Not being productive anyway? Just need a place to eat lunch? Take a break at the JETAASC Water Cooler!

This is a casual drop-in type hang out where you can say hi, stick around for some lunchtime conversation, or just tune in to some ambient social interaction we’ve all been missing away from the office. Bring your favorite drink or a full meal, pop in for a few minutes or an hour. We’re continuing to make this a weekly event to start your week off right.

JETAA Great Lakes Netflix Watch Party – Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM PST. Join Facebook group for details.

Every Wednesday at 8 we’ll be hosting a watch party! See the posts for specific details on what is currently being viewed, and how to join. We hope to see you there! We will still use teleparty due to size limitations on Hulu’s watch party service. Please remember that the teleparty app will need to be installed into your browser ahead of time and can be found at netflixparty.com ! In addition, you will need an account with Hulu to be able to join. The first watch party link will be posted at 8 and the video will begin playing at 8:30. We will watch four episodes per week so if you miss this week, you can always watch them in your own time before next week! Register by Email

JETAA Radio Taiso – Every Friday morning at 8:30 AM PT/11:30 AM ET

NEW Registration link
https://tinyurl.com/y55o4rzl

Fill out this quick Zoom registration once to get access to Radio Taiso that will work for every week you are able to join. Join your fellow JET alumni for Radio Taiso every Friday morning! It’s a 3-6 min stretch followed by a quick social check-in if you have time to chat. Join the virtual stretch via zoom:
11:30am EDT (New York); 10:30am CDT (Kansas City); 9:30am MDT (Denver), 8:30am PST (Los Angeles)

JETAA Washington DC Japanese Script Reading Club – Every Sunday at 2:00PM to 3:00PM ET. Sign up form

Join your fellow Japanese language learners and read through a Japanese short play script! The first read-through is for language study, the second read-through is for putting emotion into your Japanese. There will be three language levels available (easy, medium, hard), and a native-speaking Japanese Pronunciation Coach in every zoom breakout room. Email jetambassador@jetaadc.org with any questions. To sign up : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl3pMd4reYVdHdyo_iqkjKubOKrL2m_ejc_KEKJFjBl1lzMg/viewform

Early December – JETAA Rocky Mountain – Dinner with CLAIR in Santa Fe, NM

Some representatives from CLAIR will be visiting Santa Fe, NM from December 1-4 and are looking to meet up with some JETAA Rocky Mountain members for dinner. If you’re a JET alum in the area and would be interested in meeting CLAIR, please email president@jetaarockymountain.org.

December 1, 2021 – JETAAFL Go for Broke! – The Nisei Soldier Legacy of World War II

Wednesday, December 1, 2021
7pm EST (6pm CST, 5pm MST, 4pm PST, 2pm HST)
REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9016371705296/WN_WnY0eS0_RNKXjJEcoPmOmw

Join JETAA Florida for an important discussion on the legacy of the Japanese Americans (“Nisei”) who served in the US military during World War II amidst strong anti-Japanese feelings in America after the Pearl Harbor attack. In this webinar, Hawaii-based entrepreneur Stacey Hayashi will discuss her manga, “Journey of Heroes” about the 100/442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), and the movie that she produced, “Go for Broke! An Origin Story” (Best Hawaiian Film, 2017 and 2018 Feature Film). She will be joined by General David A. Bramlett (US Army, Ret.) and Tokuji Yoshihashi (US Army, Ret.), who bravely served in the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.

December 1, 2021 from 7 – 8:30 PM JETAA Southern California Nihongo Dake Dinner

On December 1st, JETAASC will be hosting Nihongo Dake Dinner from 7 – 8:30pm. Practice your Nihongo and make new Tomodachis online! We will be reimbursing $15 for orders made to a Japanese restaurant during the event. Hope to see you all there!

Please register for the event here.

Monday, December 6th, 2021 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm CST – JETAA Chicago December Open Board Meeting + BOWLnenkai Virtual Game Night!

The holiday season is here! JETAA Chicago invites our JET alumni community to join our next Open Board Meeting on Monday, December 6th, to discuss the upcoming events, community collaborations, and more! And as is tradition, our December meeting will end early so that at 7:30pm sharp, we can enjoy our annual (still virtual) BOWLnenkai Game Night! So grab a drink and get ready for a night of casual conversation, games and trivia, as we try and end 2021 on a high note!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING IS ONLINE ONLY!

Monday, December 6th, 2021
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm CST
Online – In the Comfort of Your Own Home

RSVP FOR THE DECEMBER OPEN BOARD MEETING AND/OR BOWLNENKAI!

What is an Open Board Meeting?Previously known as Monthly Member Meetings, Open Board Meetings are where we get together to discuss events from the past month, any upcoming events in the near future, and news relevant to JETAA.Meetings are also a chance for non-board members to share ideas, get involved in JETAA Chicago activities, and make connections in the alumni community.

Who can attend?

Meetings are open to all members of JETAA Chicago! For RSVPs, in the interest of including those that do not use Facebook and other social media platforms, a Guestlist event will be made for each open board meeting. All alumni interested in attending are required to RSVP through that event. Facebook event pages will still be posted to promote the monthly open board meeting in the JETAA Chicago Facebook group, and questions can still be e-mailed to info@jetaachicago.com.

When are they?

Open Board Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month unless it falls on a holiday. A full schedule for the year will be posted on our website.

What if I can’t make it in person?

For those unable to attend in person (EVERYONE FOR NOW!), but still interested in being involved in the discussion, simply register through Guestlist. There are conference details to dial in and they will be shared with you automatically once you have RSVP’d. Otherwise, email info@jetaachicago.com and we can work on another way to make sure you can participate.

December 7, 2021 at 7-8:30 PM EST – JETAANY Book Club

* * * * *
Our last Book Club selection of 2021 will be TOKYO UENO STATION, Yu Miri’s award-winning story of a homeless ghost who haunts one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations.

(If you’re planning ahead, in early 2022 we will read Kazuo Ishiguro’s KLARA AND THE SUN.)

* * * * *

The JETAANY Book Club is open to anyone with an interest in Japan and a love of reading. Please join us for a casual, nonjudgmental discussion! While we used meet in person over pizza, we’ll be gathering virtually for the time being. Feel free to eat and drink during the meeting. Joining late is OK, too! Questions via Facebook or by emailing bookclub[at]jetaany[dot]org.

Saturday, December 11 at 8 PM – JETAANY New Jersey Bounenkai (In Person)

Location: Rock 21 Bar and Karaoke (400 Bergen Blvd, Palisades Park, NJ 07650)
Details: In the blink of an eye, 2021 is drawing to a close! Alumni and their significant others are invited to come together at Rock 21 Bar and Karaoke to send the year off right with a NJ Subchapter Bonenkai! Join us for karaoke, food and drink!
Cost Sharing: $20/person. Includes 2 hours of karaoke and Korean and American bar food shareables. JETAANY will cover the rest of the tab. Participants are responsible for their own beverages (alcoholic or otherwise). You may pay in cash or send $20 to Alexis Palmer (NJ Subchapter Rep) via Venmo @Alexis-Palmer-15.
RSVP (by 12/8): via Google Forms
Questions: Contact Alexis via email.

12/11 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. EST – JETAA Great Lakes Ice Skating (Detroit)

Join us for ice skating in downtown Detroit at Campus Martius!

Have you had your fill of wintery fun this year? Join Great Lakes JETAA around the rink in downtown Detroit for a few laps!

The event is open to JETs and Friends/family of JETS. The event is child-friendly. We hope to see you there.

We can meet and reimburse some of the rental expenses. We just need the receipts. You must give us your physical receipt if you want reimbursement of ice skate rentals.
Date:
Saturday, 12/11

Time:
1:30-3:00 p.m. EST

Requires:
– Warm clothes

FOJ (Friends of JETs) are welcome to attend!
Register by Email

December 11 at 7 PM – JETAAMN Online Bonenkai
It’s that time of year for our annual Bonenkai event! Join us online December 11th at 7pm for some storytelling, prizes, and a kanpai to say goodbye to the year. Grab some food from Zen Box Izakaya the day of our party and we’ll cover 35% of your order!Sign up on the form below and we’ll send you the discount code and Zoom link ahead of the event. You can also send us your address for fun door prizes delivered after the event! We look forward to seeing you!

JETAANY NENGAJO (NEW YEAR’S CARD) EXCHANGE (Virtual)

Sign up by December 12!
Details: Let’s welcome in a new year by sending personal “snail mail” greetings to fellow JETAANY members. Your New Year’s card can be store-bought or a handmade work of art – either way, it’s sure to bring a little cheer through the USPS. Your simple gesture conveying gratitude, hope, humor or wishes for a wonderful 2022 will surely be appreciated. Last year 43 alumni participated in the card exchange. You must live within the U.S. to participate due to postage costs.
How it works: Fill out the Google form by December 12th. You will receive an email with the mailing address of one JETAANY member. This will be a fun way to connect with another alum in our community, whether it’s a friend or stranger.
Cost: One card and one stamp
Register: via Google Forms
Questions: Contact Monica via email.

Sunday, 12/12 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EST – JETAA Great Lakes Chapter Meeting

Join us on Zoom for our GLJETAA Chapter Meeting.

Special guest Matt Gillam will pop in at the beginning to tell us about his work at CLAIR, and we will discuss January events. FOJ also welcome!
Date:
Sunday, 12/12

Time:
2:00-4:00 p.m. EST

Requires:
– Phone or PC to join on Zoom

FOJ (Friends of JETs) are welcome to attend!
Register by Email

Dec. 16th @ 5:30-7:30 – JETAADC Natsukashi Happy Hour

Come join us at the Brig Beer Garden for Natsukashi Happy Hour. It’s a great time of year to sit back with your fellow friends from the Japan-America community and share stories of adventure. JETAADC will provide the first round of appetizers. Attendees need to register in advance so that we have enough seats reserved. Bring those warm clothes as the beer garden has a large outdoor section.

Location: The Brig DC https://www.thebrigdc.com/

Friday, 12/17 from 7:00-9:30 p.m. EST – Tokyo Godfathers movie with JETAA Great Lakes

A moving animated movie by famed director Satoshi Kon, Tokyo Godfathers follows three homeless people living in Tokyo, as they set out to find the parents of a baby abandoned on Christmas Eve.

Social hour starts at 7 pm. Everyone will stream the movie separately at 8. The movie runtime is an hour and thirty minutes.

Movie rental costs can be reimbursed by GLJETAA, provided these stipulations are followed: 1. You must send us your digital rental receipt from the day of the event. 2. It must be received by our treasurer within 2 weeks of the event. 3. Please make sure you RENT and do not buy, as we cannot reimburse movie purchases.
Date:
Friday, 12/17

Time:
7:00-9:30 p.m. EST

Requires:
– A Zoom connection for the social hour
– A computer or TV capable of renting and streaming movies

FOJ (Friends of JETs) are welcome to attend!
Register by Email

December 18 – JETAA Rocky Mountain Make Your Own Nengajo – 10 AM – 12 PM

Join us and the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC) at the JASC office building for a FUN and FREE end-of-year activity! Make nengajo (New Years postcards) to commemorate the upcoming Year of the Tiger.

December 18 from 6-8 PM – JETAA Southern California Bonenkai (Virtual and In Person)

We will be hosting our annual JETAASC Bonenkai where we’ll reminisce on the good times and do our best to forget about 2021 (which flew by way too quickly). Join us for our our first hybrid event, with both in-person and Zoom options for participation!

In-Person Option
Limited to 20 people and proof of vaccination is required to attend. We’ll have some fun games and a great dinner planned. Food will be subsidized, alcohol at your own expense. You’ll receive a confirmation with directions, or if we run out of space, you will receive a Zoom link to join us online.

Virtual Option
Open to anyone, from anywhere. Join us virtually for fun activities and great conversations. We’ll also subsidize the cost of a meal purchased from a Japanese restaurant (up to $15) on the day of the event. A Zoom link will be sent to you after registration. Don’t forget to have a drink ready for kanpai!

Deadline to RSVP is Saturday, December 11!

RSVP HERE FOR EITHER IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL

Saturday, December 18 – JETAANY Philadelphia Bounenkai at Double Knot (In Person)

Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Double Knot, 120 S 13th St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Details: End 2021 with a blast by spending time with your fellow JET alumni in the Philadelphia area at a fancy Japanese restaurant called Double Knot.
Cost Sharing: $30 per person, includes CHEF’S TASTING MENU, 10 SELECTIONS + MOCHI + 2 Robatayaki. You may provide $30 cash or send $30 to Philadelphia SubChapter representative, Chelsea Chang, via venmo @Chelsea-Chang-3 to attend.
RSVP (by 12/4) & Questions: Contact Chelsea via email.

JETAANY New York Bōnenkai
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: 99 Flavor Taste, 285 Grand Street New York, NY 10002 (Private Indoor Space)
Cost: $10 for recent (2020 & 2021) returnees; All other JET alumni or Friends of JET $20
What you’ll get: We’ll be enjoying an all-you-can-eat hot pot for 2.5 hours. There are lots of vegetarian and vegan-friendly food options. Beverages are not included in the cost.
Details: Sendoff 2021 and ring in 2022 at the New York Bōnenkai! This event has limited registration. In accordance with NYC guidelines, all attendees are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination which will be checked by the venue. Space is limited to the first 25 people. Additionally, we will have a waitlist in case demand exceeds supply. If you paid and are not able to get off the waitlist, we will contact you and you will receive a full refund. However, you will NOT be refunded unless you let us know prior to 5 pm on Monday, December 13th.
Questions: Contact Dayana Mendoza or Stanley Chen

RSVP here! (via Cognito Forms)

Note on Health & Safety: Due to the new Omicron COVID variant, please only join us if you feel comfortable. Additionally, in the spirit of community, if you are not feeling well, we ask that you stay home. If you should test positive the week after the Bōnenkai, we ask that you contact either of our co-organizers, Dayana or Stanley. They will, in turn, inform the rest of the group that someone has tested positive, and you should get tested yourself.

As a friendly reminder, in accordance with NYC guidelines, all attendees are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination which will be checked by the venue.

Christmas Village in Baltimore – Dec. 18th @ 12-3:00 – JETAADC

Let’s bring the JETAADC community together and introduce the Baltimore Christmas Village to our Japanese friends. Everyone who arrives at 12pm will get some complimentary booth food and/or beverages. We’re meeting near the Christmas Village Pyramid pictured in the flyer.

Keep an eye out for the JETAADC logo!

Saturday, 12/18 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. EST – JETAA Great Lakes Online Bonnenkai

Join us for an online end-of-year party. We will be socializing on Zoom. We recommend ordering a meal from a local Japanese restaurant. There may be door prizes!

Partial meal reimbursement available, if the following stipulations are met: A physical receipt from the day of the event must be received by our treasurer within 2 weeks of the event (if no physical receipt ever existed, a digital receipt may be emailed to our treasurer in lieu of a physical receipt).
Date:
Saturday, 12/18

Time:
6:00-8:00 p.m. EST

Requires:
– A Zoom connection

FOJ (Friends of JETs) are welcome to attend!
Register by Email

Monday, December 27 – JETAANY Cooking Stream: Osechi (Virtual)

Time: 7:00 pm EDT
Location: Streaming via JETAANY’s Facebook Live
Details: Have you ever wondered how to make all that yummy Japanese New Year’s food? Come find out how with our last cooking stream of the year! We will be making an assortment of treats to ring in the new year.
Questions: Contact Samantha via email.

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