The JASC provides a central meeting place for a diverse group of public and private community organizations.   Northside Friends Meeting The Northside Friends Meeting is a religious community, members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). They meet at 10 a.m. for worship on Sundays. They have a children's religious education program, and provide childcare. A fellowship potluck luncheon is followed by a business meeting on the first Sunday of each month. For more information, call their voicemail at 773.784.2155. All are welcome.   Tampopo Club Tampopo Club is a Japanese American children's program whose goal is to expose children to the richness and wonder of the Japanese language and culture through songs, stories, games, and arts and crafts. It is organized in large measure as a parent-run cooperative, and parents are encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions and to participate on various committees and projects.   The program is geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. There are three sessions that last approximately 12 weeks each, and a summer session of approximately four weeks duration. The program meets on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   For additional information call the JASC at 773.275.0097 and leave your name and number. Sensei (teacher) Naomi Negi will call you back as soon as possible.   Tohkon Judo Academy The Tohkon (Fighting Spirit) Judo Academy was founded in 1991. It has grown into an international school of judo featuring world class instructors and competitors from more than twenty-five countries.   Tohkon founder and head instructor is Doug Tono, 6th dan, former US World Team/Olympic team member. The Tohkon all volunteer Senior Instructor/Training staff now includes: Jean Luc Moreau, 7th dan, French World Team/Olympic team member; Eduardo Novoa, 7th dan, Chilean World Team/Olympic team member; Majimite Omagbulawage, 5th dan, Nigerian World Team/Olympic team member; and Peter Babjak, 3rd dan, Czech Republic World Team member.   Judo is more than just a sport or system for physical training. The two basic principles are "maximum efficiency for the energy expended" and "mutual welfare and benefit for all." Judo strives towards harmonious development of the mind and body and serves as a cultural training ground for moral and ethical advancement.   Tohkon offers specialized junior, senior, senior beginner, and women only classes, along with open workouts and an aiki jiujitsu class. For additional information on membership rates and a class schedule, click here (their web site will open in a new browser window), or call 773.784.7766.    (back)   Private Community Organizations The following groups are governed by their own policies, procedures and membership guidelines.   Asian American Law Enforcement Association The Asian American Law Enforcement Association is a not-for-profit organization that represents Asian Americans in law enforcement agencies in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area. Its more than 275 members come from the Chicago Police Department, Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff's Police, US Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, FBI, Secret Service, police departments from the surrounding suburbs, and various other law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.   Since being chartered in 1983, AALEA has worked to develop and promote a greater degree of understanding and cooperation between the Asian American community and law enforcement agencies. It encourages the recruitment, hiring, and promotion of Asians in all areas of law enforcement and provides networking and training for members as well.   AALEA sponsors the Trooper Chong Soo Lim Scholarship Award and co-sponsors Asian community forums on health care, gangs, hate crimes, domestic violence, and other public safety issues. It has also provided mentoring to local groups such as the Asian American Youth Organization. In addition, AALEA is invited to participate in many community events and participates in others on a voluntary basis.   AALEA is a member of the National Asian Peace Officers Association. For further information, click here (their web site will open in a new browser window), or e-mail.    (back)   Chicago Nisei Post No. 1183 Chicago Nisei Post No. 1183 was established in 1949 with a charter membership of 15 Japanese American veterans of World War II. Its original name was Rome Arno Post, commemorating the initial campaign of the 100th and 442nd Regimental Combat units. It was chartered under its present name in 1953, and since then has garnered numerous awards on the district, county, departmental and national levels.   The Post currently has more than 200 members residing throughout the continental United States. The majority of members are former Army men, with a few who served in the Air Force, Navy and Marines. Their record of service spans World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, Viet Nam, and other conflicts to date.   Chicago Nisei Post is active in veterans' affairs, and lends its support to a number of community and national projects. The Post's Color Guard and Rifle Squad perform at public functions throughout the year. For more information, please call 773.784.4831.    (back)   Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago In 1934, the common bonds of Japanese ancestry and growing concerns about discrimination led to the founding of the Japanese Mutual Aid Society. The founders – Issei, first-generation Japanese Americans – assisted one another, and undertook responsibility for the less fortunate members of the community by providing burial for those without family and notifying their relatives in Japan. During its early history, the Mutual Aid Society addressed the needs of the community by providing social services, medical and legal assistance, and translation services. The Mutual Aid Society organized the first Japanese language school on the city's North side, as well as a hostel for Japanese Americans relocating from the camps.   By 1948, as other Japanese American organizations began to grow, the Mutual Aid Society returned to its original purpose of purchasing burial plots and maintaining a mausoleum. This effort was expanded during the 1950s, and in 1958 additional wings to the Mausoleum were constructed.   As a tribute to the Issei and Nisei who struggled and sacrificed for the common good, the Mutual Aid Society began its annual Memorial Day services in 1938. Today, those annual services are still held each Memorial Day at Montrose Cemetery, and are supported by many community groups, temples and churches. The Mutual Aid Society is a not-for-profit organization that relies upon donations and the sales of burial plots. For more information, please call 773.907.3002.    (back)   Na Kupuna Ukulele Club of Chicago The Na Kupuna Ukulele Club of Chicago was formed in April 1997 by a group of people who were interested in learning how to play the ukulele and to sing Hawaiian songs, as well as Japanese and American songs. Na kupuna in the Hawaiian language means "elders" or "senior citizens." Mr. Calvin Lee is the instructor, and the club meets weekly at JASC for lessons. They have performed at the Daley Center, Japan Day festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Midwest Buddhist Temple's Ginza Holiday, as well as temples, churches, and senior citizen homes. They currently have 50 members. For further information about the Na Kupuna Ukulele Club, please call the JASC at 773.275.0097.    (back)   New Horizons New Horizons was formed in May 1986 to serve the needs of single people in the Nikkei (Japanese American) community in Chicago and its suburbs. The club meets monthly, often taking day outings and short trips to places of interest. Most activities are for members only, but some, such as Bingo and Christmas parties, are open to the public.   Each year, New Horizons gives financial support to a number of local and national organizations. The club has 121 members. Anyone who is interested in joining the club may call Ikue Itami at 773.248.3924.    (back)   Stir-Friday Night! Stir-Friday Night! is Chicago's premier Asian American sketch comedy and improv troupe performing all original material. In existence since 1995, Stir Friday Night! gives Asian American artists an opportunity to create original works that educate a broad spectrum of audiences about the Asian American and the human experience.   A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt theater organization, SFN! is a fun, fresh and exciting company that uses current events, personal experience and history in its works. SFN! believes that humor is an effective tool for dispelling stereotypes and bridging understanding between the various social, racial, and intergenerational groups in the community, particularly those whose views have been limited to that which they see on TV and in film.   Stir-Friday Night! has successfully produced fifteen original shows in Chicago and Los Angeles, and has toured nationally, performing at more than 50 colleges, universities and special events. SFN! performs free improvisational shows at the JASC and engages in many other outreach activities. For more information, or if you would like SFN! to perform at your school or event, you may call 773.973.4533 or write: Stir-Friday Night!, PO Box 268560, Chicago, IL 60626 or e-mail.    (back)