Master Mah Jongg
A beginner's guide to the beloved game
4 sessions at 8 p.m. ET
Nov. 17-Dec. 8
Four women sit around a table, each with a card of various numbers and colors, arranged like a secret code. Tiles are exchanged like a perfectly choreographed dance: right, across, left, then left, across, right. Tossing tiles into the middle of the table, the players call out mysterious names — “Four Crak! Three Bam! Eight Dot!” — until the winner finally shouts “Mah Jongg!”
That’s what many people think of when they think of a game of mah jongg — four women of a certain age playing the tile game developed in 19th-century China. And as many also know, the game became especially popular with Jewish women in the United States in the early-to-mid-20th century, in part because of how it spread through the Catskills’ very Jewish vacation bungalows.
But today, the game is growing in popularity across younger demographics. This is not only your grandmother’s game anymore!
Whether you’re looking to connect with part of your family history in a fun way, or if you’re just trying to find a new favorite pastime with a rich Jewish history to it, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the game from two master teachers: Dara Collins and Donna Kassman, the founders of the Modern Mahjong company.
Over the course of four online sessions, Dara and Donna will teach you how to play like a master, give you guidance on how to keep up with the latest rule trends, help you pick out a tile set to buy and answer any and all questions. You’ll also enter a community of Jewish players from around the world.
So pull up a seat, and let’s play!
There are no refunds for this course. The recordings of class session 2, 3 and 4 will only be available to re-watch for one month after the end of the final class. The recording of class 1 will not expire.
About Your Teachers
Dara Collins and Donna Kassman are the co-authors of the “Visual Companion Guide for American Mah Jongg,” based on their 16 years of mah jongg playing experience. Together, they created a mah jongg business, ModernMahjong.com, and host both in-person and virtual events. Their Zoom talks are recorded live with well-known authors, speakers, teachers, players and collectors.
Related Courses
About My Jewish Learning
My Jewish Learning is the internet's leading pluralistic Jewish education resource. We offer thousands of articles, videos, live classes and other resources to help you navigate all aspects of Judaism and Jewish life — from Jewish ritual and practice to texts to history and culture.
My Jewish Learning is geared toward all backgrounds and levels of knowledge and is a part of 70 Faces Media, the largest Jewish digital media organization in North America.