The American Israelite is happy to announce a new columnist, Barbara Caplin.
Barbara Caplin, affectionately known as Bobbie, discovered her passion for mahjong at an early age. Her journey with the game began when her mother took three streetcars to purchase a mahjong set with all black tiles. At six years old, Barbara fondly remembers the snacks her mother prepared for their mahjong games. By eight, she and four friends, along with their mothers, regularly played together, learning from one mother who shared her knowledge with the group.
As Barbara grew into motherhood, her love for mahjong remained strong. She enjoyed evening games with friends while the dads took on babysitting duties. Her enthusiasm for the game led her to create a mahjong tile necklace, which she advertised in publications like Hadassah, ORT, and Pioneer Women Monthly magazine. This initiative caught the attention of Grossingers Resort, where she was invited to organize annual mahjong tournaments each February, a role she embraced for seven years.
Barbara’s dedication to teaching the game was evident as she instructed 1-4 women at a time and even taught a group of 16 men at Macy’s Department Store, with classes held weekly for seven weeks. Throughout her life, she participated in several mahjong tournaments and recently transitioned to using an electric mahjong table.
Today, Caplin, a proud mother of four and grandmother of eleven, continues to cherish the game that has been a central part of her life.
