9-year-old, Linda Feinstein, sat on porch steps watching neighbors play Mahjong every night outside her family’s Coney Island bungalow. The sound of the tiles mesmerized Feinstein, and it interested her in the game’s strategy.
Almost seven decades later, Feinstein has used her lifelong passion to teach women worldwide about Mahjong.
“I always feel that I brought Mahjong back into Manhattan because no one was really playing it,” Feinstein said.
Feinstein’s love of the game is by no means an anomaly. In recent years, the game—a classic originating in Qing Dynasty China—has seen a resurgence. Ultimately, a movement that exploded during the height of the COVID pandemic.
Since the onset of the pandemic, most of Feinstein’s students have been eager individuals of all ages. Moreover, primarily older millennials and parents with children in school, making those settings perfect for the occasion.
Nancy Yohay, 63, just recently began playing Mahjang and loves the group of women she plays with on a weekly basis.
“I took lessons after I retired and needed something to fill my spare time,” Yohay said. “I belong to two country clubs and in order to meet people, I needed to learn how to play Mahjong.”
The game, simultaneously becoming popular among younger generations, has allowed Yohay to play her nieces. Mahjong for Yohay has become key for her to strengthen relationships with her family members and neighbors.
“It also helps individuals no matter their age maintain brain power as you have to use your mind to figure out patterns and notice sequences you are going to go for.”
There are three different suits of tiles, with each player racking to play the game: Bams (Bamboos), Cracks and Dot.
There are many hands that have been played for years. Every April, the National Mah-Jongg League publishes a new card with 60 new hands for that year.
At the start, each player selects a hand to play based on the tiles they’re dealt, but may need to pivot to a different hand if the tiles don’t align in their favor. The aim of the game is to be the first player to get Mah-Jongg, which is completing the hand they have chosen to follow.
Social media influencer, Kierra McKenzie, says that her community in Texas has become interested in the game. She has played a fresh take: Pool Mahjong.
“There are a couple of different companies that have come out with floating tables that have little cupholders in it and the perfect square for gameplay, but I used The Mahjong Line,” McKenzie said.
The Mahjong Line is one of many companies that combines color and design to attract a newer, younger generation to the game, with the tiles being a modern interpretation of the original Chinese sets.
Though McKenzie’s primary focus is raising her kids, she finds comfort in her newfound community.
“I need an outlet that is social, but also a really good brain workout,” McKenzie said. “In my group of 184 mothers, there are definitely newer moms and also some established professionals.”
Mahjong translates to “Sparrows” in Mandarin, figures that are depicted on the tiles used to play the game. The game is traditionally played with four players and often a fifth, who is the bettor. There are different ways to play the game in the U.S. and in China but the principle behind the game stays consistent.
Orlando, Florida native, Dale Perreault, is a part of the older generation of players. Perreault is taking steps to further entice younger adults to find meaning in the game. Alongside Julie Levitt Bann, the two have planned a Mahjong cruise set to sail in February 2025 on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.
“I have hosted a tournament at my local JCC [Jewish Community Center] for 21 years and thought hosting a cruise would be fun,” Perreault said. “We had one last year, the age range being 35 to 80, and only advertised locally and we had 55 people.”
Perreault additionally enjoys teaching the game to her community. A game that she believed would only attract many Jews and Italians has, to her surprise, spread far beyond those communities in the Orlando area.
“I teach Mahjong all over the city at country clubs, stores and houses,’’ Perreault said. “Most people feel like their friends are learning it and they are going to feel left out so they call me in a panic for lessons.”
Mahjong has endured many generations and has continued to find new fans.
Feinstein, like many, believes the meaning of Mahjong is one of family, love, and connection, with a side of competitiveness to go along with it.
“When you’re surrounded by people you love, games can last forever,” Feinstein said.
