If you are new to Mah Jongg and looking to get started, be assured that you’ve come to the right place. Our beginner-friendly, supportive, classes and supervised playing sessions make the learning experience both easy and enjoyable. While you’re having fun, you’ll be giving brain a workout by building new skills and learning new strategies. Another plus is connecting with others in our very vibrant Mah Jongg community.
Our beginner lesson series includes four interactive, hands-on sessions held once a week for four weeks. Each session is two hours, for a total of eight hours of instruction and practice. Step by step, you’ll learn the essentials of the game, develop your skills, and build your confidence. At series end you’ll be ready to play, either among yourselves or with many of our recent graduates.
Let us now introduce you to our staff of very experienced instructors who will be guiding you every step of the way.
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Freda Goodman
Our MJ coordinator
Freda has been playing Mah Jongg for 25 years and has introduced many new players to the game in a fun, hands-on way. Within several hours of instruction, she has people loving the game, playing rounds, and developing strategies. She has served in numerous educational roles, including social studies chair at an international studies high school, college instructor, student teacher supervisor, and virtual learning pioneer.
Deborah Merl
To Deborah, Mah Jongg is so much more than simply an enjoyable tile game. It has the amazing ability to bring together people who might otherwise never meet, form new friendships, and build a community. She truly loves teaching Mah Jongg. Students describe her teaching style as clear, easy to understand, fun, and extremely patient. These qualities come from her many years of working as an RN at an international coed boarding school.
Jill Pila
Jill is an NYC girl and an avid Mah Jongg player who has been playing for 25 years and teaching for 10! She loves teaching groups and individuals of all ages, as well as bringing the fun of Mah Jongg to corporate events. There’s nothing Jill enjoys more than watching people form a community where they connect, laugh, and enjoy the game. Jill is also a licensed speech-language pathologist and continues to do that meaningful work.
Susan Richards
Susan has been playing Mah Jongg for over 15 years and teaching it for three years. It has become her new passion since retiring as an occupational therapist. She recently moved to New York to be closer to her family. Mah Jongg has played a big role in helping her meet friends and become part of her new community.
Jane Nadboy
Jane is a native New Yorker who started her career as an early childhood educator. She transitioned to a role as a senior adult program coordinator at a suburban Jewish community center, where she reconnected with Mah Jongg. She developed a Mah Jongg course that focused on strategies and skills while sharing the unique history of this delightful game.
Bonnie Tchapraste
A native New Yorker with a lively personality and a natural gift for bringing people together, Bonnie makes everyone feel welcome. Her warmth, humor, and approachable teaching style turn every game into an experience filled with laughter, connection, and lasting memories. She doesn’t just teach Mah Jongg—she creates community and brings people together, one table at a time.