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!”
From the tenements of New York City to the bungalows of the Catskills and American suburbs, Jewish women have kept Mah-Jongg alive for over a century.
How did a 19th century Chinese parlor game come to be a favorite pastime for Jewish women?
Around 1846, a servant of the Chinese emperor combined the rules of popular card games of the time, and replaced cards with tiles to create Mah-Jongg. An American businessman traveled to China in 1912 and brought the game back to America.
In 1937, a group of Jewish women formed the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL), which to this day strives to maintain consistency in the game. Each year the League issues a card listing winning combinations of tiles (which change every year) and standard regulations.
As women play, they share life events–marriage and divorce, the birth of children and then grandchildren, work and retirement. It’s even said that when the last woman of a Mah-Jongg groups dies, it’s her job to “bring” the Mah-Jongg set with her to the World to Come.
Every Tuesday from 11-1 at TBS. New and experienced players welcome. Hats and pedal pushers optional. בשלום Rabbi Susan
Arizona HB 2867 Contact your legislators to show your support. This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding the teaching and promotion of antisemitism in public schools. It introduces a new section, 15-120.05, which explicitly prohibits public schools, teachers, and administrators from teaching or promoting antisemitism or anti-Semitic conduct that creates a hostile educational environment. The bill also prohibits the use of public funds for any activities related to antisemitism, including curriculum development and professional training. Furthermore, it establishes that adverse employment actions cannot be taken against educators who refuse to engage in such practices, and it outlines the consequences for violations, including potential civil liability and disciplinary actions from the state board of education.
Additionally, the bill allows students or their parents to take legal action against violations that create a hostile educational environment, with provisions for damages and attorney fees. It clarifies that discussions about the history of Jews and Judaism are not prohibited, ensuring that educational rights are maintained. The bill mandates the state board of education to adopt rules for enforcement and defines key terms such as "antisemitism" and "hostile education environment," thereby providing a clear framework for implementation.
Carl Shulak z"l זכרונו לברכה
Join us for a Memorial Service Thursday, Feb. 20 at 3:00pm in the TBS Sanctuary.
Condolences to Sally Contour 2105 N. Blooming Hills Drive Apt. 132 Prescott, AZ 86301
Donations in Carl's memory to Temple B'rith Shalom 2077 Brohner Way Prescott, AZ 86301
We honor this man who meant so much to so many.
25 Years of Giving Come and Join the Celebration Sunday Lunch & Fiddler on the Roof Performance 7 tickets left!
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott invites you to attend its celebration of 25 Years of Giving. Enjoy a complimentary luncheon with us at the Prescott Resort at 12:30 and then attend the Fiddler on the Roof performance at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center at Yavapai College.
Complimentary luncheon and two free show tickets can be reserved (first come, first serve basis) by contacting the office at Temple B’rith Shalom at office@brithshalom-az.org or calling 928-708-0018. The ‘physical’ tickets will be available for pickup from the Temple office beginning Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
TBS Calendar ~ לוּחַ שָׁנָה
Check out our website to view our calendar and discover the wonderful events coming up! View the TBS Calendar
This Week’s Calendar Thurs., Feb. 20 ~ 11:00 Short Story Discussion; 12:00 Great Thoughts; 3:00 Memorial Service for Carl Shulak Fri., Feb. 21 ~ 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., Feb 22 ~ 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Feb 23 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 11:45 Tikkun Olam Co. Meeting Tues., Feb 25 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower; 11:00 Mahjong; 11:30 Discovering Judaism; 1:00 Crafters; 4:00 Purim Spiel Rehearsal; 5:00 Choir rehearsal Wed., Feb 26 ~ 9:30 Chaverim at Panera; 11:00 Mussar; 12:00 Tanach Today; 5:00 Board Meeting Thurs., Feb. 27 ~ 11:00 Short Story Discussion; 12:00 Great Thoughts; 3:30 Gala Co. Meeting; 5:30 Fressers Dinner Fresser's Dinner! ~ Thurs., February 27 at 5:30pm at Ciao Bella Italian Restaurant in Prescott Valley. RSVP to Diane Shrager at 520-269-0545.
Sunday, March 9 at 1pm Adult Ed. ~ The Jewish Side of Bob Dylan In the new movie “A Complete Unknown” the Jewish side of Bob Dylan is almost completely unknown. Tom Brodersen will focus on the Jewish elements of Dylan’s life & music. Women's Book Group ~ Wednesdays at 11:00am Wed., Mar. 12 ~ The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict (biography) Wed., May 14 ~ The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish (historical fiction)
Save the Date! Passover Seder Sunday, April 13 at 5pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott. We are looking for volunteers to help our chair, Si Osgrove, set up and take down our Passover Seder. If interested, please contact Si Osgrove at 631-223-9806 or siwriter@icloud.com.
TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next Board Meeting is Wednesday, February 26 at 5pm at TBS. Board meetings are open to all members in good standing. If you would like to attend or speak at a board meeting, please contact President Deborah Plotkin by Monday, February 24.
Congregational Support ~ עֶזרָה
Mitzvah Circle ~ מצווה Contact Suzi Abramson-Johnson at 602-570-9688 to participate or to request assistance. Mitzvah circle members send Condolence and Mi Shebeirach cards, offer rides, provide meals, and more. Do what you are comfortable doing to help congregants in need.
Tikkun Olam ~ תיקון עולם
Co-Chairs Amber Caulkins and Allee Steinberg From the Talmud: It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.
Next meeting: Sunday, Feb. 23 at 11:45am.
February project is supporting PASS: Prescott Area Shelter Services. PASS provides temporary shelter to women and women with children. Guests can stay for up to 90 days. The needs of PASS are great - from personal items to cleaning supplies to household items. A list of suggested items to donate is available at the temple. Donated items can be brought to TBS throughout the month of February.
Religious School בית ספר דתי Feb. 23 Sunday School 9:30-11:45
THE MOB: Men of Brith Shalom Join THE MOB every Tuesday at 9am at the Wildflower to schmooze over a cup of coffee. There is no extra cost or commitment, just a lot fun! Come check it out.
Special Prayers ~ תפילות
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are remembering the following people at Shabbat this Friday, February 21. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from February 21-27. We also remember those who have left us in the last eleven months. These names have been taken from the member portion of our website. If you do not see your loved one's name (family members) and would like their name mentioned at services, please contact Jessica in the office.
Carl Shulak, partner of Sally Contour. Condolences to Sally Contour.
Reuben Sussman, father of Barbara Sussman Thelma Maurer, mother of Leslie Adler Lester Kantor, father of Diane Shrager Eli Josel Szajman, brother of Roza Rosenberg Robert Gilson, son of Carol Gilson Bunny Frankel, sister of Steve and Sue Weiss Elizabeth Mishkovsky, grandmother of Al Steinberg Julie Gardner, sister of Bill Dahlin Pearl Pertcheck, sister-in-law of Janet Rifkin Harry Osofsky, grandfather of Rabbi Nina Perlmutter Alice Greene, mother of Richie Ackerman Charles Pollack, uncle of Linda Frankel Wendy Grace, cousin of Shira Hudson Diana Couch, relative of Arlene Brownie Janet Crayne, close friend of Barbara Sussman Justin Flaherty, brother of Gerry Flaherty-Tate Marilyn Gilson, mother-in-law of Carol Gilson Howard (Chaim) Sherry, father of Alan Sherry John Yeakley, husband of Marilynne Yeakley Arlene Fultonderg, cousin of Laury Shayne Esther Cohn, mother of Dana Cohn and founding member of TBS Shirley Brohner, founding member of Temple B'rith Shalom Randi Chenkin, cousin of Gail Punyen-Davis Ellen Mechanic Schlossmann, cousin of Suzi Abramson-Johnson David Leon Weiss, son of Sue Robyn Henry David Gellerman, ex-husband of Leslie Gellerman Howard Eugene Herst, father of David Herst, grandfather of Jessica Herst Richard Lilley, uncle of Heather Kaplan Sari Benson, cousin of Brian Schanerman Robert Caulkins, uncle of Josh Caulkins
Purchasing a Yahrzeit plaque is a beautiful way to honor and remember our loved one's who have passed. To purchase a plaque, please fill out this form and return it to the temple office. We kindly ask for $360 per Yahrzeit plaque. Yahrzeit Plaque Order Form
Healing Thoughts ~ מי שבעירך
Tom Reiner, Claudia Ackerman, Mark Gray, Charles Plotkin, Peggy McCauley, Gloria Hershman, Jeffrey Snell, Mary Sussman, Sue Weiss, Linda Patent, Leslie Adler, Rachel Coy, Vadim Vaynerman, Mike Wolf, Amy Snell Kingslinger, Rosario Maya, and Brian Shrager.
If you would like to add or remove your name or your family member's name from the healing list, please call or email the office at 928-708-0018 or office@brithshalom-az.org.
Donations ~ תרומות
Give Back to TBS! We are so grateful for your kindness and generous giving to Temple B'rith Shalom. Your contributions help Temple B'rith shalom to thrive and ensure a home for Jews in the Quad City area.
If you would like to make a donation now, click here. Did you know you could can give back to TBS at no additional cost to you simply by shopping at Frys? For more information, click here.
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