Mah Jongg Mondays podcast (Fern Bernstein)

Join Fern and her guest Ahuva Ellner as they discuss Ahuva’s love of mah jongg and her love and responsibility in caring for her mother Miriam, who suffers from Alzeheimers. Like mother, like daughter, mah jongg is a game they both share, although for Miriam it is a game of the past. Ahuva plans for the future of mah jongg meet ups in NYC, and teaching opportunities once COVID is behind us. Listen in and enjoy Fern's discussion with Ahuva.

Looking for a unique and one-of-a-kind mah jongg find? Email Ahuva and see what special items she has in her inventory. When she isn’t caring for her mom Miriam she is either thinking about, playing online, or creating a mah jongg item. Contact Ahuva for mah jongg products or find out about her NYC meetup at Ahuvasellner@aol.com of on Facebook at Ahuva Ellner.

In the first episode of 2023, Fern welcomes two special ladies of mahj, Jan Egri and Linda Rosenson to the podcast. Jan who is the administrator on the largest and most interactive Facebook group MJTI!, discusses the “new NMJL rule” with Fern as well as some other mahj related topics. Later, Linda Rosenson joins in the conversation sharing her love of gaming and discussing how she adds weekly Wheel of Fortune and Wordle puzzles on MJTI! At the end of the episode Linda has an exciting mahj related announcement involving both her and Jan! Listen in to find out what’s in the works!

Pick up your 2023 NMJL card at www.nationalmahjonggleague.org

You can find the Moms Play Mah Jongg Facebook group here.

You can find the Mah Jongg, That's It! Facebook group can be found here.

In this week’s episode join Fern and her guests Lorraine Urist and Mary Lechman. They turn the tables and interview Fern about her memoir and some of her life experiences that led her to write her book. We all face life challenges be them big or small and those of us who play mah jongg can often find support from our mahj friends, find fun and friendship around the table and some of us find therapy as we pass through the Charleston and throw and pick as we vie for the winning hand. Listen in and learn about this mah jongg inspired story.

Fern's book can be found on Amazon.com, at Barnes and Noble, or at your local independent bookseller.

This episode sponsored in part by Mahjcon. Go to mahjcon.com/register to register for the event.

In todays episode Fern welcomes Debbie Levin and Ilene Matz to the podcast. Through a decades long friendship, their love for mah jongg and the right timing, this dynamic duo recently acquired the online mahj business Mah Jongg Maven. It’s holiday time and the perfect time to check out the mah jongg items/gifts available on their website. Happy holidays one and all!

You can find their website at www.mahjonggmaven.com and they can be emailed at Themaven@mahjonggmaven.com

In this weeks episode Fern welcomes mah jongg enthusiast, teacher, tournament lover and author Jane Flagello to the podcast. Tips and trips at a Las Vegas tournament couldn’t stop Jane from getting her mahj—on! Love to read? Jane weaves the theme of mah jongg into her mysteries and romance novels.

Visit Jane's website at janeflagello.com

Become a patron of the show at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays to help support the show!

Fern's memoir can be purchased on Amazon, or at your local bookseller.

In today’s fun-filled episode join guests Jan Zegel, Mary Lechman and mah jongg’s funny lady Lorraine Urist, as they share their experience of being on the national tv game show: The Chain Reaction. Then get ready for some podcast game show fun as Fern tests their mahj knowledge. Liam joins in the game show fun too!

Karen discusses her philosophy that “luck favors the prepared mind” in this week’s episode. Grab a pen and paper and take notes to help you take your game up a notch or two!

Karen can be contacted at bubbefischer@gmail.com, and her blog can be found at bubbemj.blogspot.com (of special interest might be her blog article Switching Hands: A Master Class). Lastly, Karen's book, Searching For Bubbe Fischer, can be found on Amazon or at your local independent bookseller.

Jill Fox's article for the Sun Sentinel can be found here.

Join Fern and her guest Bettyann Stryker, founder of the Facebook group We Love Mah Jongg!, tournament director, charity supporter and all around mahj enthusiast. Bettyann found mah jongg an important part of her life after a traumatic brain injury and is sensitive to others personal challenges. We’ve all got a story and today Bettann will share hers with us. 

She’s back! Lorraine Urist joins Fern for an episode to up your game and increase your mahj wins with some new perspectives on the NMJL card. Get your mahj moves on while vying for the winning hand. It’s always entertaining when Lorraine stops by to talk. She’s the funny lady of mah jongg beside being a teacher and player with over thirty years of experience behind her. Listen in to some mahj-alous talk.

If you would like to support the podcast, please consider heading over to patreon.com/mahjonggmondays and becoming a patron. Your support helps keep the show moving forward.

Join Fern and her guests Ruby and Ziggy as they discuss the Marvelous Mah Jongg Card. Creator Kimberly Powell also joins the episode to share with us how she came up with the idea for this fun-filled and creative take on mah jongg sections and hands. There’s so much to love about mah jongg and this card is not only marvelous but masterful too!

This is the week the new 2021 NMJL cards will be arriving in the mail! Join Fern and Lorraine Urist as they discuss the new card, changes in sections, hands and values. If your card didn’t arrive just yet you can still glean information about the new card in this episode and be ready for when it arrives.

Mah's Helping Hand Mah Jongg Highlighters can be bought at the company's website, mahshelpinghand.com

Toby Salk's website, where you can get in touch with her, can be found at tobysmj.com

Join Fern and her guests Ronda Brooks and Toby Salk, two experienced players and tournament directors as they discuss mah jongg etiquette and how to handle some sticky situations that cause unease and trouble around the table. Listen in for some good ideas and lively discussion to help solve some common mah jongg etiquette issues.

Toby's book, American Mah Jongg for Everyone: The Complete Beginner's Guide, can be found here on Amazon or at your local independent bookseller. Toby's website can be found at www.tobysmj.com, and she can be contacted directly at Tobysmj@gmail.com

Join Fern and her talented guest Christine Whitman as they discuss how Christine was lured to the tiles and started a mah jongg related business. Hear how the mah jongg community helped Christine and her mah jongg playing husband Brett get through a devastating fire that left her home and business nothing but ashes. This dynamic duo rebuilt their life and business and continue their love of the game and enjoy creating their mahj inspired items. Listen in and get your weekly dose of some mahj-alous conversation.

Join Fern and her guests Joanne Harris and Patti Fell as these two mavens of mah jongg share the shenanigans they got into through their mah jongg friendship. Joanne’s love for the game inspired her to open an Etsy shop called Mah Jongg Ladies. Check out her shop for fun mahj inspired gifts. Both ladies can attest to the special bonds of friendship that form around a mah jongg table. Listen in and hear their fun stories!

You can find Joanne's shop on Etsy as Mah Jongg Ladies.

In today’s episide Fern welcomes fellow Long Island mahj enthusiast Lorie Seigel. Listen in with a chilled glass of iced coffee or iced tea as Lorie, who teaches in the area, shares tips and strategies as well as stories and her personal perspectives about the game.

Lorie's website can be found at www.majwithlor.com

Fern's interview on Expert Connect can be found here.

Join Fern and returning guest mah jongg teacher Lorraine Urist as they talk about the Charleston. Lorraine highlights some tips and pointers for beginner to advanced players. There’s always laughter when Lorraine stops by and today’s episode is no different! Listen in as we talk, learn and laugh.

If you would like to order a signed copy of Fern's memoir, you can place an order through Burton's Books at their website, burtonsbooks.com.

Want to support the show? Become a patron at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays and keep us ad-free!

Fern welcomes Lorraine Urist back to the podcast. These two mahj friends catch up about life, Fern’s recent surgery and Lorraine shares some mahj strategies to help kick off 2023 which we can take with us as we delve into the new 2023 card in April. Mercury may be in retrograde but nothing gets in the way of our mah jongg games!

More info on upcoming Crak Your Bags events can be found at www.crakyourbags.com/events

Daron Barness' website can be found at www.majbydaron.com

In today’s episode Fern welcomes two fellow mah jongg Long Islanders to the podcast. Lori Rubin and Michele Drotman love both social play and tournament play and have created mini tournaments here on Long Island. Later this month they are kicking off their first event! Listen in for tips and strategies for both social play and tournament play as we all get our mahj—on!

You can visit the site for Mah Jongg Mania at mahjonggmania.net

In today’s episode Fern takes us back to the 1970s. Stacey, one of Fern’s Long Island mah jongg friends, shared her aunt’s old mahj cards. Listen in to hear about some mahj history and some background on the NMJL presidents. It’s a short but sweet episode. Thank you Stacey for sharing your aunts cards! 

Fern's memoir, Mah Jongg Mondays, can be found on Amazon or at your local independent bookseller

Join Fern and her guest Linda Fisher, the director of Bryant Park Mah Jongg. New York City is the city that never sleeps! Some New Yorkers enjoy morning games, some prefer afternoon games at the park and for others, evening games of mah jongg and martinis are the choice for them. No matter what time we play mahj and no matter what town, city or state we play it in— it’s always a great time with our friends!

Linda's blog can be found at lfisherblog.blogspot.com

Bryant Park Mah Jong Game Info can be found at bryantpark.org/amenities/games

If you would like to support the show, please consider signing up to be a patron at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays

In todays episode my special and always funny west coast mahj sista, Lorraine Urist, joins me to discuss our exciting in person meet up on Long Island. Mah jongg brought us together like it has for so many other players across the country. We talk about the new card, seeing eachother in person and playing on my electric table, Lorraine’s recent mahj event in California and of course there’s a funny story Lorraine will share with us! Thank you for listening in and waiting patiently for this episode to drop as I’m dealing with chemo treatment. Mwah! You guys are the best!

Fern's two books, Mah Jongg Mondays (her memoir) and Staunch (a historical fiction story), can both be purchased on Amazon.com or from your local independent bookseller.

Mah's Helping Hand Highlighters

Listen in as Fern and special guest Jan Egri, MJTI! administrator, avid mah jongg player, collector and enthusiast talk about Jan’s mah jongg journey and together these two mah jongg mavens read the tips and strategies MJTI! members share with us from Facebook to podcast.  Grab a pen and paper to jot down a tip or two! 

You can find the Mah jong, That's It! Facebook group here. If you'd like personalized Jokers by Jan, message Jan Egri through MJTI!

Join Fern and her guests, Sally Hall and Beth Marx, as they discuss an analysis of the 2020 card, along with tips and hints to use in your next game online or in person. Their friendship spans thirty years, and eventually one friend led the other to the mah jongg table. Their friendship now includes the fun, sisterhood, and mental challenge that mah jongg provides. Grab a pen and paper to take some notes in today’s episode!

Check out Beth’s felt creations at her website: Studio907.com

Sign up for the exciting new online mah jongg game (it’s free to check out and be a beta tester!) by Robert Trachtenberg at www.playmahj.com

Visit Fern’s website at www.fernbernstein.com, or get in touch directly at Mahjonggmondays@yahoo.com

Join Fern and John in this week’s lively mah jongg discussion. Learn how John was lured to the tiles and how that attraction helped inspire John to create MJ Diva Magazine. Find out how two worlds collided, one being his art and the other being his love of mah jongg, creating dozens of mahj inspired products. From tournaments, Royale, to Siamese and then to on line games, nothing will stop this man of mahj from getting his daily dose of dots, craks, bams, flowers and dragons. North, south, east or west, John has all directions covered with his excitement and enthusiasm for mah jongg.

Contact John directly at: jwarrendavis71@gmail.com

You can find his products at:

mj-diva-publications.constantcontactsites.com

www.zazzle.com/store/mahj_on_my_mind/products

www.jdavisphoto.com

Some rules are made to be broken or shall we say altered in non-tournament games of mah jongg. Seems like we all have created, shared or been inspired by other players house rules. Shawn Dudokovich shares her survey of house rules on this weeks podcast episode. Some of the house rules we’ll discuss I’ve personally played  and some were new to me. No matter what, mah jongg “rules” as the game I love to play and talk about!

Join Fern and returning guest Lorraine Urist. In this week’s episode Lorraine will “crak” us up with her comical side. Lorraine has taught thousands of mahj students and has shared her love and knowledge of mah jongg in episode #49 and #55 and interviewed me in episode #59. Listen in to this funny episode and get ready for some side-splitting laughter!

It’s the last episode of 2022! Join Fern and guest Kathy Jones as they discuss the details of some creative and fun twists in house rules to shake up your holiday games. Pass your rack to the right?!? Everyone pick a tile from the wall and discard one back in?!? Crazy house rules can cause crazy fun gaming excitement. We’ll get to hear from Liam too, as he joins Fern in the  latter part of the episode. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday!!!

MJM Mah Jongg: The Musical episode (Episode 85)

MJM Gladys Grad episode (Episode 8)

In this weeks episode I’m going solo. Listen in as I share a little bit about myself and my mah jongg reflections. It’s a soulful mah jongg episode.

In today’s episode Fern talks with tournament aficionado John Charles. John attends sixty tournaments a year and has gained insight and experience, some which he will share with us in today's episode.

In this weeks episode Fern shares the mic with Liam to go over some mah jongg survey results about the diversity of mah jongg players. Then Michelle Shapiro joins Fern to discuss the diversity of her mahj students and her love for the game this podcast is all about…mah jongg!

If you would like to support the show, please head to patreon.com/mahjonggmondays to set up a pledge. We really appreciate the support!

In this weeks episode, we’ll hear how mah jongg helped reconnect two women on opposite sides of the country who lost touch almost forty years ago. Oh, the magic of mah jongg!

More mahj? “Always!" say Mo-Mahj founders Deb Diamond and Dara Barker. These two savvy mahj players created some innovative products for every day playing either in person or online. We’ll find out how they were lured to the tiles, created their product line and hear about a new online game in the works. Liam Freivald joins Fern for some fun 2020 reflections and announces the four Giveaway winners at Mah Jongg That’s It!

Visit the company’s website at: Mo-Mahjong.com

March is all about luck...or is it? This week's podcast is chock full of tips and strategies from the book by Elaine Sandberg: Winning American Mah Jongg Strategies. Grab a pen and paper and get ready for some great info to up your game. These tips will be helpful with our upcoming 2021 NMJL card too!

Join Fern along with Lorraine Urist as they muse about mah jongg with guest Nikki Edwards from Minnesota. Nikki created a large mah jongg playing space for dozens of players in her home. The room is filled with mahj ephemera as well as tables ready to be played on. We all are touched by the game of mah jongg but some enthusiasts take it to another level like Nikki. She opened her heart and her home in her personal persuit of sharing her love of the game of mah jongg!

Fern's book can be found on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller.

Want to help support the show? Become a patron at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays to help keep the show ad-free!

In todays episode Fern welcomes Lynda Schulman to the podcast to discuss her love of playing and teaching mah jongg. They will discuss the upcoming 2022 card and go over tips and strategies to help learn the card. Lynda runs In Tempo mah jongg tournaments in Scottsdale, Arizona and hopes to meet you the next time you are in town.

https://intempobridge.com/mah-jongg-in-tempo/

Join Fern and her guest Lorraine Urist as they discuss Lorraine’s fifty year mah jongg journey. Lorraine learned as a teenager and developed a love for the game that went cross country from New York to California. Lorraine has taught over 2,000 players and has some great tips and strategies to share with us as well as some fun and heartwarming teaching stories. Listen in for some mah-ja-lus fun filled conversation.

It’s fun question to ponder and in this weeks episode Fern and returning guest Lorraine Urist discuss their picks and read responses from members on MJTI!

Want to support the show? Please consider becoming a patron over at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays to help keep the show ad-free!

In this weeks episode Fern welcomes back Lorraine Urist to discuss the “altered rule” when two players need the same tile for an exposure or to call for mah jongg. There is tension around the table with this touchy topic. Lorraine never ceases to entertain us and this funny lady of mah jongg reads a poem she wrote recently and then shares a list of mah jongg sayings that is sure to make you laugh! Looking for a new series to watch after you settle in for the night after mahj? Lorraine has one hot show to tell us about!

If you would like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays

In todays episode I welcome Ronni Rice, aka Marvelous Mrs. Mahj to the podcast. Ronni is a mahj teacher who brings her love of the game to players in the Los Angeles area. Get ready to listen in to another episode of Mah Jongg Mondays with conversation and topics that’s all about our favorite game!

Ronnies's website can be found at www.marvelousmrsmahj.com

Fern's interview on Sylvia & Me

In todays episode Fern talks with guest Mindy Bogin about playing, teaching and sharing mah jongg memories. Mindy played both in the states and in Israel where she shared her love of mah jongg by teaching new players and creating social circles through the game. These are the tiles that bind and connect us to one another. They are the tiles that fill the “craks” in our lives with friendship, sociability and mental stimulation. Bam! It’s so much more than just a game to us all. Listen in and take away a mahj playing tip too!

Click, clack, crak...Listen in as Fern interviews celebrity photographer and Emmy award winner Robert Trachtenberg about all things mahj. He loves to play with his mahj crew, created the eclectic Trach/Bach set by Crisloid and now has a new on line mah jongg game about to launch! You won’t want to miss this fun filled ‘mahj-alous’ episode.

Do you remember when you learned how to play mah jongg? I sure do! In today’s episode I welcome Jill Zoccoli, who has been playing mahj for seven months and Peggy Morrissey who learned three months ago. We’ll talk about the challenges of learning and being a new player. We’ve all been there! We have some tips to share and we hope we can inspire more people to learn the marvelous game of mah jongg!

Mah's Helping Hand

Maj By Daron

Dix Hills Mahjong Facebook Group

Join Fern and this week’s guest Jamie Throgmorton as these two mahj enthusiasts talk about finding confidence to vie for challenging hands—especially Singles and Pairs. Listen in as Fern and Jamie reflect on how mah jongg helped each of them through difficult life challenges, how the friendships they built around their mahj tables offered each of them support in times of need. Find out why it’s so much more than just a game for these two players. 

Join Fern and her guest Sue Glass as they discuss Sue’s attendance at the NMJL’s annual meeting and hear what she learned. Fern and Sue also talk about the history and the formation of the league and the philanthropic role the league adheres to eighty-five years after its inception.

Dr. Heinz's website can be found at www.amheinz.org

Mah Jongg: The Musical's GoFundMe can be found here.

https://hollyboxenhornscheduler.as.me/

Join Fern and her guest Tina Gottes as they read and discuss both the good and bad habits that mah jongg players shared on my Mah Jongg That’s It post.  It’s an episode filled with information that new, intermediate and advanced players can learn from.

Fern's book can be found on Amazon.com, or at your local bookseller.

The highlighters mentioned in this episode can be bought at www.mahshelpinghand.com

Want to help support the show? Become a Patron at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays and set up a monthly pledge!

Join Fern and her guests Erika Marcus and Lauren Kesten discuss their marvelous experience being extras on this amazingly popular Prime series. Of course mah jongg comes into play—they met up at a tournament and recognized one another from filming the same episode! If you love watching the show you will remember the scene where Joel’s mom has been playing an all nighter mahj game at the Catskill resort. Listen in for some mahj-alous convo with my guests today!

In this weeks episode Fern welcomes fellow author and mahj enthusiast Barbara Barrett. Barbara writes mah jongg mysteries as well as non mahj themed stories in the romance genre.

Happy New Year! This is the first episode of 2022! Today’s guest Karen Bloom, a third generation player shares her love and enthusiasm for mah jongg. It was b’shert (meant to be) she was reconnected to the game. The organization Hadassah brough the click-clack sound of the tiles back into Karen’s life and we will hear about the organization and how it helps people. Fern also talks about her very special mahj meetups in Florida. Listen in and enjoy the episode!

https://www.hadassah.org/

If you'd like to order a signed copy of Fern's book, you can do so at www.burtonsbooks.com

Want to help support the show? Become a patron at patreon.com/mahjonggmondays

Join Fern and her guest Daron Barness as Daron helps us unpack the card, see specific rhythms and patterns in sections and hands. Daron has downloadable worksheets for players available on her website. Search the card for answers to thought provoking questions on the worksheets to help sharpen your mahj skills and understanding of the new card. Go grab your 2021 card, a pen and paper to take note of some terrific tips and strategies!

Daron's website can be found at www.majbydaron.com and she can be contacted directly at majbydaron@gmail.com

Join Fern and guests John Davis and Paolo Tatafiore, the creative team behind Mah Jongg the Musical. We’ll hear about this work in progress and behind the scenes details. Mah jongg on stage…doesn’t that sound amazing!!!

Want to support the show? Head on over to patreon.com/mahjonggmondays and become a patron!

If you would like to help contribute to Mah Jongg the Musical, their GoFundMe page can be found here.

John and Paolo can be contacted via email:
Jwarrendavis71@gmail.com
Ptatafiore@gmail.com

Listen in as Fern calls her mah jongg friend Lorraine and they talk about life, mah jongg, movies and family. Whenever Lorraine is on the podcast you are sure to laugh. Fern’s husband makes a cameo and Lorraine shares some strategy.

Want to support the show? Head on over to patreon.com/mahjonggmondays and sign up to become a patron!

Bubbe is back with more mah jongg insight. In this weeks episode guest Karen Gooen, author, lecturer, teacher and statistician discusses tips and strategies to help you navigate the new 2021 NMJL card. Karen reveals some golden nuggets  she has discovered while analyzing the new card and shares those with us today. So go grab your card, a pen and paper and let’s dive into our new cards together!

To receive a special offer when ordering one or all of Karen’s books mention the podcast when you email her at bubbefischer@gmail.com

You can also visit Karen's blog at bubbemj.blogspot.com

In this weeks episode join Fern and two other ladies who love to mahj, Tina Gottesman and Jill Fox. The three women all became friends through the game we love to play and talk about here on the podcast... mah jongg! Listen in for highlights in our mahj community: sets, tournaments, books, products, mahj destinations and so much more!

Mah's Helping Hand Highlighters can be found at www.mahshelpinghand.com

The Mah Jongg Wipes bundle can be found at www.mahjonggwipes.com

Mahj Club Med Getaway details can be found at www.mahjonggwipes.com/moms-weekend-off

momsplaymahjongg@gmail.com

Join Fern in this week’s episode when she interviews the mother-daughter team made up of Jen Clayton and Barbara Bear. This dynamic duo have combined their love of the game into their new mahj business called Mah Jongg Fever. From Long Island and Dallas you can feel these two ladies turning the heat up on the game we love to play! These are the hottest tournaments for the coolest players!