All the World’s a Stage and We’re Just Mah Jongg Players Upon It

Monday night was the opening for Project Mah Jongg. Whether it was the “Mah Jongg Martinis” commissioned for the evening and designed by Jennifer Nelson from Buttermilk Channel in Brooklyn, or the Kosher spring rolls served by Foremost, or the perfect weather, the gallery was buzzing with excitement.

Our first guests, friends of Gallery Educator Geri Jacobs, came in their finest Chinoiserie, and they came ready to play. The families of artifact lenders were in attendance and included the family of Ruth Trager Greenberg, a beloved mah jongg-playing grandmother and mother; the family of Dorothy Myerson, the founder of the National Mah Jongg League; the family of Ruth Unger, the president of the National Mah Jongg League; and so many others.

Abbott Miller, designer of the show, and Melissa Martens, curator of the show, were there as well as Timothy Nohe, the designer of the soundscape; Patsy Tarr, publisher of the gorgeous companion volume; and trustees Judah Gribetz, Patti Kenner, Rita Lerner, Ann Oster, Jeff Tabak, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Gary Zwerling. Our friends and media partners from New York magazine Ellen Wilk-Harris and Susan Greenhut also joined the merriment.

The opening of this wonderful salute to Jewish-American culture is a marvelous way to kick off Jewish-American Heritage Month, as decreed in 2006 by President George Bush. The proclamation was the result of efforts by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) and Senator Arlen Spector (PA) who initiated the resolutions and made them a reality. May’s month-long celebration encourages awareness and celebration of accomplishments made by Jewish-Americans. Don’t just take our word for it — visit the site at http://www.jewishamericanheritagemonth.us/, and you’ll be sure to find so many programs, events, and exhibitions that you’ll wish May had 32 days, not just 31.

Photos by Melanie Einzig.

Top: Geri Jacobs and friends

Middle: Abbott Miller, Patsy Tarr, and David Marwell

Bottom: Rita Lerner, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Jeff Tabak