Snippet 20250928 September Highlights and Future Happenings

Mahj Life Snippets is my version of a blog post. On the last Sunday of each month, a new one will be posted with this month’s highlights and future happenings. An email blast will notify subscribers anytime a new snippet is published. If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe by clicking the button below!

The recurring YouTube videos and livestreams schedule is published on the events page.

This Month’s Highlights

Community NEWS

NONE THIS MONTH

YouTube Channel

Consider joining as a channel member to show your support and enjoy perks! Read more on the Get Involved page.

Channel Members… if you’d like to help in another way, consider joining the Mod Squad to assist with moderating the livestream chat. Learn More!

Let’s Play Livestream Schedule (Eastern Time PM)

Monday1:00 to 2:00NITTY-GRITTYAmerican Mah Jongg Skills and Strategies Matrix (AMJ S2 Matrix) 16-week topic rotation by episode (Article 210)
Tuesday1:00 to 2:00 LEARNING LAB Player EditionProgram details
Wednesday1:00 to 2:00 MEMBERS ONLYAvailable to YouTube channel members. Learn more…
2:00 to 3:00OBSESSED
Thursday1:00 to 2:00LEARNING LAB Instructor EditionProgram details
Friday5:00 to 6:00 SIMPLY SOCIAL

6:00 to 7:00
BEAT THE PRO CHALLENGEBeat the Pro is a challenge for competitive players. Anyone who wins at the table is eligible to participate in exclusive mini-tournaments. Learn more…
Mod Squad

If you want to help monitor chat during livestreams, consider volunteering as a moderator. Click to apply!

Competitions

Mahj Life competitions are held on the Mahjong Time platform annually****, drawing top players from the American mah jongg community. These high-stakes events showcase remarkable skill and exciting matchups as contestants compete for a spot in the winner’s circle. The results are broadcast on YouTube, allowing fans to follow the action in real time and interact with commentators.

****Events require minimum participation: 32 players for tournaments (confirmed in groups of 4) and 5 teams of 6 for leagues.

Special Events

MAHJ-A-THON 2025: A 24-Hour Success for St. Jude

We did it! The third annual MAHJ-A-THON is officially in the books, and what a marathon it was. Over the course of three seamless livestream segments — each eight hours long — our community came together to raise $4,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Highlights from the Stream

  • No technical hiccups: 24 hours straight with smooth streaming.
  • Engaging activities: From trivia challenges to the FAKE or FACT House Rules Showdown, we kept the energy high with casual games, fast-paced BLITZ rounds, and our always-popular BINGO BASH.
  • Community spirit: Viewers and players alike kept the momentum going, showing once again how mah jongg can connect people for a purpose.

Watch the Replays

Missed part of the fun? You can catch the full event on replay:

Looking Ahead

We’ll be back next September with the same 3 × 8-hour format, but with a fresh slate of activities to surprise and engage our audience. Stay tuned for announcements as we gear up for MAHJ-A-THON 2026!

Call for Sponsors

We’re inviting partners to join us in making the next MAHJ-A-THON our biggest fundraiser yet. Sponsorship registration will be open from July 1 to August 31, 2026. Sponsors will receive on-stream visibility, social promotion, and the chance to align with a powerful cause during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

If you’d like to be part of this signature event, register here!

Thank you to everyone who donated, played, watched, and cheered us on. Together, we’re proving that mah jongg is more than a game — it’s a way to make a difference.

Speaking GIGs

NONE this month

To view videos of past events, please visit Michele’s Speaking Engagements page.

Instructor Guild

New Members

The Mahj Life Instructor Guild is growing! Heartfelt thanks and shout-out to our new members:

If you’re new to mah jongg or already know how to play and want to build your skills, search the directory to find an instructor near you.

If you’re an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the guild!

New Content

Merit Program for Instructors

The Merit Program for Instructors (MPI) is designed to provide a means for American mah jongg instructors to test their knowledge of the game with the potential to earn microcredentials.

Microbadges Earned

Congratulations to these instructors for their achievements!

If you are an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the Mahj Life Instructor Guild to participate in the Merit Program for Instructors and demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an American Mah Jongg instructor.

Changes to the Wiki

See the summaries at the bottom of this page: https://mahjlife.com/wiki/

Updated

See the summary at the bottom of this page: https://mahjlife.com/wiki/

New letters in Dear Hoptoi

Playing with Poise (Letter 17)

If you need practical advice to help you resolve an awkward or challenging situation, send a letter today! https://mahjlife.com/dear-hoptoi/

New Merch

Factions – Purist & Rebel

Check out this index to find merch that resonates with you: https://mahjlife.com/merch-index/

Future Happenings

Speaking GIGs

December 2025

12/02/2025 IN-PERSON GIG Merage JCC in La Jolla, CA

Title: Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-la-jolla-lawrence-family-jewish-community-center-jacobs-family-campus-lunch-learn-play-2025/

12/04/2025 IN-PERSON GIG Merage JCC in Irvine, CA

Title: Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell and Holiday Boutique

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-irvine-ca-merage-jcc-mah-jongg-day-with-michele-frizzell-and-holiday-boutique-2025/

February 2026

02/13-15/2026 IN-PERSON GIG Mah Jongg Maven Retreat

Title: Mah Jongg Day, Break Out Sessions, Social Games, and Mini-Tournaments

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-all-inclusive-social-mah-jongg-retreat-2026/

Snippet 20250928 September Highlights and Future Happening