A new kind of Mah Jongg fundraiser

by | Feb 24, 2022 | What’s Happening

Janet Gordon Annual Mah Jongg Tournament
Sunday, April 3

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way nearly everything takes place at Beth Sholom Village—from food service to family visits, religious services, and even fundraising.

BSV has hosted the Janet Gordon Annual Mah Jongg Tournament, Day of Play & Luncheon for more than a decade. An event that has grown and evolved and always brought in dozens of Mah Jongg enthusiasts and Beth Sholom Village supporters, it was a wonderful day to engage in friendly competition, take a peek in the Auxiliary Gift Shop, and enjoy a mimosa or two, all while supporting BSV residents and its community.

In early 2020, BSV made the difficult decision to close its doors to visitors, indefinitely postponing plans for all events on its campus, including the Mah Jongg fundraiser. Instead, BSV hosted a fun virtual raffle on Facebook, which received tremendous support, even without an in-person event. The steadfast support of the tournament’s leading sponsor, Daniel Gordon and the Gordon Family, remained strong.

Hopes that 2021 would present an opportunity to get back to “normal”—to have the typical pre-pandemic gathering were dashed when, out of an abundance of caution, the tournament was postponed again until the spring of 2022.

And so, BSV plans to bring back the Janet Gordon Annual Mah Jongg event in April, with 100% of its proceeds directly benefitting BSV’s residents. As so many things have changed in the last two years, so must the way Mah Jongg is played and funds for BSV are raised.

The Janet Gordon Annual Mah Jongg event will be held at the Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Town Center, and all attendees at the event must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, this year’s event will only feature a Day of Play and Luncheon, rather than the traditional Mah Jongg Tournament. A Mah Jongg tournament requires players to move from table to table, increasing the number of people touching the same tiles and increasing the number of contacts; instead, Mah Jongg group cohorts will be maintained, playing for fun and celebrating being together again. Rest assured—special prizes will be awarded throughout the event, and the famous raffles will take place.

Rachel Abraham, event co-chair, says, “I can’t wait to be back in-person for our annual Mah Jongg fundraiser, and even though it won’t be held at Beth Sholom Village, the residents who benefit from this event are in our thoughts and hearts now more than ever before. I feel lucky that we can still enjoy this event and give back to those BSV residents and caregivers who have felt the daily burden of COVID-19 over the last two years.”

Visit www.bethsholomvillage.com/donate to register or become a sponsor.

Amy Weinstein