There’s something about a Mah Jongg table that feels instantly inviting: the satisfying click of the tiles, four friends gathered around a table, a little strategy, a little luck, and plenty of conversation between hands.
At a time when so much of life happens through a screen, Mah Jongg offers something wonderfully simple: a reason to sit down together.
That spirit is at the heart of Helen Jon’s collaboration with Kim Aliber, founder of @dear.mahj, a growing community dedicated to American Mah Jongg. Together, Helen Jon and Kim are bringing a playful new touch to Helen Jon’s tote collection with Mah Jongg-inspired embroidery designed for game day and beyond.
It Started with a Set of Tiles
Kim’s love affair with Mah Jongg began more than 25 years ago, when she spotted two sisters playing at a charity event.
“I was mesmerized by the tiles,” she says. “But I couldn’t understand any part of the game they were playing.”
Years later, she bought an antique tile set and tried to teach herself, only to discover the set was incomplete and the instructions she had downloaded weren’t for American Mah Jongg — the version she now plays and teaches.
A few years later, while sitting poolside in Florida, Kim finally learned the game. A friend invited her to watch, patiently taught her the basics, and encouraged her to come back each week. Today, Kim teaches Mah Jongg in much the same way: patiently, inclusively, and with joy.
Mah Jongg Is More Than a Game
Kim was first drawn to the look and feel of the tiles, the sound they make, and the challenge of deciphering the card. What keeps her coming back is the community.
She still plays every week with friends, followed by dinner and time catching up on life — one of the highlights of her week.
“People are craving real connection,” she says. “Mah Jongg gets you off your phone and around a table with people of all ages.”
And, of course, there’s the aesthetic. Beautiful tiles, colorful mats, stylish racks, and a thoughtfully set table are all part of the fun.
Building a Community, One Hand at a Time
Kim launched @dear.mahj to teach American Mah Jongg and give players a place to test their knowledge, ask questions, and build confidence around the game.
Today, more than 120,000 people follow along for recurring content including Mistake Mondays, Tuesday Truths, Thursday Trivia, Friday Finds, and Saturday Strategies.
For beginners, Kim encourages simply sitting down at the table — observing a friend’s game, joining a local class, or finding a Mah Jongg community nearby. She is also launching an online beginner course later this fall with printable guides and interactive exercises for players learning at their own pace.
A Natural Fit for Helen Jon
For Kim, the connection to Helen Jon feels personal. She has been a fan of the brand for years and still has a favorite navy-and-white cover-up she purchased in the Cayman Islands more than a decade ago. She also first learned Mah Jongg poolside in Florida, which remains her favorite place to play.
“Whether you’re playing aqua Mahj in the pool or sitting around the table, Helen Jon and Mah Jongg are a natural fit for the player who wants to play in style,” she says.
That idea comes to life in the new collaboration. The Mahj Tote features the tile + “MaHJ” embroidery, while the Tile Tote and Game Clutch feature the tile and can be further personalized with a name or initials.
What’s in Kim’s Mah Jongg Bag?
Kim’s tote is never without four NMJL cards tucked into a zippered pouch, a set of tiles, dice, tile shufflers, a square tablecloth, a Mah Jongg mat, and four racks. Then come the personal essentials: her phone, readers, lip gloss, car keys, a pen, a rule book — and a box of Hot Tamales.
It’s a fitting glimpse into what makes Mah Jongg so much fun: the game itself, but also the people, the place, the little rituals, and the accessories that make the experience your own.
Maybe that’s why Mah Jongg feels less like a game and more like a lifestyle — and we’re always happy to make more time for that.