Ms. Onuma, Mr. Moriwaki, Abbot of Chan Meditation Center Guo Xing at Temple
JAA Japanese Disaster Relief Fund

JAA has received donations from the following organizations and individuals. $68,673.00 from the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (Founder, Master Sheng Yen graduated Risho University in Japan), $4,500.00 from ANA NY Senior-Kai Charity Golf Tournament, $3,333.00 from Korean American Community Foundation and more from Birchland Park Middle School (MA), Liberty Montessori Intl School, NY METS Japan Heritage Night, Harrison High School Charity Jazz Concert organized by Kayana Jean-Philippe and friends. JAA appreciates those thoughtful gifts, thank you very much. Also, we received a donation of $21,535.90 from NY Miyagiken Jinkai (president Mr. Kenjiro Sasaki) on Aug. 16.
The JAA Committee on Japan Disaster Relief Fund held a meeting on August 15 and has decided to fund the following NGOs working in the Tohoku region:

(1)$125,000.00 -Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) for the support of women, pregnant women and babies residing in Tohoku region. www.joicfp.or.jp

(2)$125,000.00 to Peace Boat for support and relief of residents of Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture www.peaccebaot.org

(3) $100,000.00 to NPO Jidai no Souzou Kobo for Civilian Relief & Recovery Support Team "Shintakujuku in Tohoku" to fund a series of weekend programs that provides character and leadership education and aspirational hope for children and their parents in the Tohoku region. www.jidai.or.jp

JAA has previously sent out $265,000 for support of Japan Disaster Relief- Fukushima Rescue Fund $100,000, Miyagiken (NY Miyagikenjinkai) $70,000, and the Red Cross (NBC Dine Out Japan Relief) $60,000.
In total, we will have sent out $615,000 from JAA Japan Disaster Relief Fund.
We continue to perform our due diligence and are investigating NGOs in the Tohoku region that focus on the needs of elderly as well as mental health issues. Several JAA representatives including our president Mr. Gary S. Moriwaki will visit Tohoku in September and will report back to our members.

Dr.Takano & JAA members
On July 6th, Dr. Chiyoshi Takano from Koriyama city in Fukushima visited JAA to receive a banner with the message "UNITY & HOPE", which JAA members inscribed at recent Keirokai. Dr, Takano had worked and volunteered for many critically injured and depressed patients at Izumi Sonritsu Hospital and Kuwano Kyoritu Hospital, both of which sheltered victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami. She emphasized the need for the fund to rebuild damaged hospitals. The Unity & Hope project was made possible by the efforts of Ms. Pamela Sugihara and Ms. Aileen Yamaguchi.
The 5th Senior Week

It will be held from Sept.15 to Sept.25 at JAA . It is co-sponsored by JAA Committee on Aging Issues (Ms. Susan J. Onuma, chair) and JAMSNET (Dr. Shunichi Homma, President) and supported by the Consulate General of Japan in New York.
Over 50 events for all ages are; consultation on Wills, Immigration, Tax, Medicaid & Medicare, Social Security and Mental health, lectures for healthy eating and happy retirement, Medicaid and Home Care Services, dementia, massage and exercise and more. More details can be seen at www.agingjaa.org and www.jaany.org.
Please make your reservation at JAA.

Dr. Matsumoto's Talk on Dementia
The lecture on "Dementia" will be held on Oct.15th .
Dr. Isho Matsumoto of the Matsumoto Clinic in Japan will visit JAA to give this informative lecture.
The18th JAA Charity Golf Tournament

Our Annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, October 17th, 2011 at Knoll West Country Club, 990 Greenbank Road, Boonton, NJ 07005.
Itinerary for the day will be: Registration at 11AM, Orientation at 11:30AM and at 12.15PM -Play begins by "Shotgun" Rules per the New Peoria System

Fee: $250 includes Green fee, Cart fee & Dinner.@
$100 will be Tax deductible
Maximum Participants: 100 entries

There will be many wonderful prizes. The Grand Prize is roundtrip ANA Business Class tickets between NY-Tokyo. Other prizes include a cash ($10,000) Hole-in-One prize on four holes. There is also a sumptuous After-Play Buffet Dinner.
Please Join Our Popular Charity Golf Tournament and support this most big fund raising event of JAA! The dead line for entry is September 30th.
A Special Night for Friends and Supporters of JAA

JAA will hold its 2nd Special Fund Raising Dinner on Nov. 16th (Wed.) at Sony Club (550 Madison Ave. 35th Fl.NYC). Cocktails start at 6PM and Dinner at 7PM. Entertainment: Jake Shimabukuro - the world famous ukulele player. Fee: [Individual] $1,000 - Supporter, Friend - $500 [Company] One table (10 people) $10,000 - Benefactor, $5,000 - Patron. Your great support for this event will be highly appreciated!!
Mini Flea Market for Keiro Kai

JAA has been struggling financially. In order to support the activities of Kairo Kai, we held a Mini Flea Market on Aug. 6, from 10am to 2pm at JAA Hall. Although we did not have many shoppers at the opening, gradually our customers came in. The final gross was $6,000. We really appreciate our donors, shoppers and volunteers.
Keirokai has been a very popular program at JAA. Our volunteers' home made dishes, fresh beautiful flowers at each table, very good music, useful lectures and free consultation on heaths, legal matters, translations and other activities are really appreciated by our seniors We should keep this rich and important program for seniors.
JAA Social Service

Keirokai in July

July 14: For the Tanabata Keirokai, the Hall was decorated with Kaede tree branches brought by Ms. Rie Shirakawa with small origami written with members prayers and wishes. Curry Rice, Mini Salad and Ice Cream was on the menu. After the lunch, a music performance was given by the pianist, Mr. Maxim Anukushin, followed by Senior exercises led by Mr. Kentaro Kikuchi. Our house band, K. Iwaki Band played nice music. Attendants: 83 seniors, lunch deliveries 25, volunteers 15.

July 28: Unagi Kabayaki : Baked Eel on Rice, Sesame string beans and Tea Jelly were on the menu for this summer Keirokai. After the lunch, Dr. Kinichi Shibuya gave a talk on Heat Stroke. A musical performance by Mr. Maxim Anukushin, was followed by exercises led by Mr. Kikuchi. K. Iwaki Band provided musical entertainment. Attendants: 105 seniors, 28 lunch deliveries, 18 volunteers.
26th JAA Foreign Minister Cup
Baseball Games

Tournament of Championship Games to be held on July 21st was postponed due to heavy rain. We hope to have nice weather on July 28th for the championship games.
Our committee members are Mr. Shunji Kato (Honorary Chairman of JAA Baseball), Mr. Shunsuke Takahashi and Mr. Keisei Chin.
JAA Committee on Aging Issues

Lecture on Senior Facilities and system in Japan on July 6, at JAA Hall. Dr. Kazuomi Takigawa, Mr. K. Kusunose, and Mr. Hirokazu Tarumi of Issei Fukushi Kai in Aichi gave a lecture on "Medicaid for housing in Japan". Over 80 people came to this event. After the lecture attendants enjoyed the lunch donated by "Shabu Shabu 70" restaurant.

ANA New York Senior Kai

Japanese Press Groups
Donation

To JAA
Mitsui USA Foundation $12,000.00
Sojitz Corp. of America $1,000.00
Japanese Press Groups $1,000.00
ANA New York Senior Kai $9,000.00
New York Japanese-American Lions Club $500.00
Shigeyuki Hirakawa $500.00

Thank you very much!
Save the Date

September 15 (Thurs.) - 25 (Sun.) : the 5th Senior Week
October 15 (Sat.) : Lecture on "Dementia"
October 16 (Sun.) : Japanese Language Committee Workshop
October 17 (Mon.): The 18th JAA Charity Golf Tournament@ Knoll West County Club
November 5 (Sat.) : Annual Grand Bazaar
November 16 (Wed.) : JAA Special Night for Friends & Supporters of JAA @ Sony Club
November 17 (Thurs.) : Thanksgiving Day Keiroaki
December 2(Fri.) : Annual Year End Dance Party
December 15(Thurs) : Year End Keiro-Kai
News in the Community

  • Turkish Culture Center in Queens invited JAA members to their after Ramadan Dinner on Aug.29.

  • After 22 years of dedicated work as HIV/AIDS advocator and educational service organization, Family Health Project will close their door on Oct.1st.

  • New Go (a Japanese game ) club started at JAA.They meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 1:30PM.

  • The 52nd Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad will be held in Tokyo from Oct.26th to 28th.This year's title is "Let's strengthen the Social Bonds with Japan!". Please see www.jadesas.or.jp for more information or call JAA.
    • Information

  • For information regarding your Social Security, please visit www.socailsecurity.gov .

  • Senior Housing Available at Council Towers VI, 155-25 71st Avenue, Queens, New York, NY 11367
    Eligibility Requirements: One or two - person Household, one person must be at least 62 years old and income limits apply, more information and application at www.metcouncil.grg/housing, tel: 917-281-6810 more information is also available at JAA office.
    • Obituary

    Mr. Steve Shigeo WADA--Steve Shigeo, 93, passed away on July 5, 2011. Steve was last seen at JAA Keirokai on June 9th with his friend Mr. Ralph Iwamoto. Please read more about Mr. Wada on "The Face of JAA" in this issue. The memorial service was held at the Japanese United Church on July 31.

    Mr. Joe Harada, 77, passed away on July 31. He was a long time member of JAA and worked at Otagiri Company for 36 years.

    Mr. Tokuaki Fujita, 70, passed away on July 7. He was an owner of Mt. Fuji Restaurant in Hillburn, NY. He was a member of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics wrestling team. He came to the U.S. in 1965 influenced by Rocky Aoki to open Japanese Steak House in USA. He sponsored JAA keiroukai at his restaurant Mt. Fuji several times when Mr. Inagaki was JAA president. He was also a big supporter of the JAA Charity Golf Tournament.II
    Vol.67
    STEVE SHIGEO WADA (93)

    WADA Steve Shigeo, 93, passed away on July 5, 2011. Born on Oct. 3, 1917 in Loomis, California, Steve was raised in Hiroshima, Japan, and served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He studied art on the G.I. Bill of Rights, at the Chicago Art Institute, the Art Students League of New York, and the Atelier Fernand Leger in Paris. In addition to being recognized as one of the finest dental ceramists in the country, he was an artist in media including drawing, painting, calligraphy, graphic art, and photography, and showed his work in one-person and group shows. He was a member of the Art Students League of New York, Artists Equity of New York, Japanese Artists Association of New York, and the Sumi-E Society of America. Also, he had been one of the regular artists of JAA Art Exhibition of Japanese and Japanese Americans for 16 years. He was beloved by his extended family and a wide circle of friends for his artistry, his warmth and cheerfulness, and his zest for living. He is survived by his wife, Takako, daughters Stephanie and Jennifer, and grandchildren Esther and Christopher, who love him and miss him very much. A gathering for family and friends was held with 100 of family members and friends on Saturday, July 30, at the Japanese American United Church, 255 Seventh Avenue.