Lynda Siegel, a retired schoolteacher, has become known as the “Queen of Mah-Jongg” at the Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington. Having learned to play the tile-based game in 2001, she now teaches mah-jongg classes and organizes free weekly drop-in sessions at the synagogue. Siegel estimates that she has taught the game to 125 people over the past two years and has raised $8,000 for the synagogue. The game, which originated in China in the 19th century, has seen a resurgence of interest around the state, with Siegel noting that it is not just Jewish women playing it anymore. In a recent episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger visited OZ for a Wednesday morning drop-in game and met Siegel and some of the other players. Siegel’s classes start up again in March, and people can sign up on the OZ website. The episode of “Stuck in Vermont” was supported by New England Federal Credit Union and featured music by Aaron Kenny and E’s Jammy Jams.
Source: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/stuck-in-vermont-meet-lynda-siegel-burlingtons-queen-of-mah-jongg-40264079
