On Sunday afternoon, Viveka Hall-Holt and I had the joy of helping to lead a Potluck Project event in Philadelphia. We were warmly hosted by the Philadelphia Sikh Society, in partnership with University Lutheran Church, the Bahá’í Community, and staff from Interfaith Philadelphia.
We were served a delicious vegetarian meal in the tradition of Langar, the Sikh practice of offering a free community meal to all, regardless of background, belief, or status. Sitting together on the floor or at long tables, we were reminded how simple acts of hospitality can open doors to laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection. It was wonderful to see people get to know one another across lines of difference and to hear the sound of shared humanity rising in conversation and joy.
Viveka led this collaboration beautifully, and we are deeply grateful to all our hosts and partners for creating a space of warmth and welcome.
This gathering was part of our ongoing Potluck Project Tour, which helps communities across the nation experience the power of group-to-group connection. In recent months, we’ve shared meals and stories in San Antonio, Louisville, Lynnwood, and Kirkland—and now Philadelphia. We’ll continue this journey in the spring with events planned in Phoenix and other parts of Arizona.
Why do we do this? Because sitting down together to share food and stories is often the first small step toward something much larger: trust, cooperation, and civic renewal. The Potluck Project gives leaders and communities a way to experience what’s possible when we gather across our differences—not to debate or persuade, but simply to meet as neighbors.
We left Philadelphia grateful and inspired. Each potluck reminds us that when people come together in openness and kindness, they rediscover something timeless: that our shared humanity is stronger than the forces trying to divide us.
Now we are in DC, working on another event this week.