MAH JONGG – A Game for All (Ages)!

Fun fact: The game of Mah Jongg was invented in 19th century China, but the United States’ National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) was founded in 1937 by a group of Jewish women in New York City.

This social game of skill and luck is experiencing a resurgence right now, attracting younger players who get together in person and online, but it’s been a part of Jewish communal life for decades.

My mom still plays Mah Jongg in her retirement community twice a week. I learned to play in 1997 when a friend taught a group of newbies over the course of a couple of Sunday afternoons. Although one person moved to Texas, the five of us continue to play weekly and I use my mom’s original bakelite set. Though my adult daughter hasn’t expressed interest in learning the game yet, I hope that one day she will, and I will pass on my mom’s set to her.

You don’t need to have friends or family who play to learn Mah Jongg and enjoy the social benefits of weekly competitions. The Pozez JCC has opportunities to both learn and play this surprisingly Jewish game.

Beginner lessons are offered quarterly by experienced teacher Bette Shanley, and they attract a more diverse crowd than you might expect. The students so far have been mostly female, but we do have an occasional single man and sometimes married couples take lessons together. The 10 new players that just finished our standard four-class course ranged in age from 31 to 64, proving that Mah Jongg is a game for all ages, not just retirees.

Some students are intimidated at first, but our groups are always supportive. “At first, I thought I’d never catch on, but each class built my confidence, and by the third week I felt ready to play—at least at the beginner level,” one student reports. “The best part has been the group itself. We laughed, learned, and encouraged one another along the way. Bette was so organized, and each class built on the last with a clear purpose and progression. I’m so glad I joined—this has been both fun and rewarding!”

Once they’ve mastered the basics, novice players can come on Friday afternoons to play slower-paced games in a less pressured environment with Mah Jongg sets provided by the

J. Experienced players can come on Wednesdays to prove their skills against other seasoned players. It’s a great way to meet community members and make new friends.

Periodically, we offer Siamese Mah Jongg lessons for experienced players. This version of the game is for two players; each person plays with two racks of tiles at the same time. If you’re up for the challenge, our next Siamese Mah Jongg lesson series will begin on October 30, with day and evening class times.

Finally, the J hosts an annual tournament, the Ruth Spector Memorial Mah Jongg Tournament. This year’s tournament will be held on Sunday, November 9 in our auditorium. New this year – we are holding a novice tournament for those who have never played in a tournament before. Come test your skills and enjoy a light brunch and snacks, raffle prizes and fun for ALL ages. Learn more about the J’s Mah Jongg (and other adult education) classes or sign up for the tournament.