Tonight, my Shabbat table is going to be potluck in every sense of the word.  On the menu is a mismatched (and hopefully charming??)  set of dishes including yellow squash and spinach lasagna, tempeh with gravy, vegetarian sushi, and caprese salad with homemade mozzarella.   

The group of people sharing this delightful meal is almost more interesting than the menu:

• Three modern orthodox men of varying persuasions within that denomination (one currently studying at Yeshiva University)
• One Jewish couple: he grew up conservative/kosher, she is studying to be a reform Rabbi at HUC
• One non-Jewish couple: both spiritually-minded, nominally Christian, and frequent Shabbat dinner guests
• One female Jewish farmer, currently living at Adamah
• One post-denominational, semi-observant, egalitarian woman (me)

This type of uber pluralism is rare in the Jewish community, at least on a small, informal scale.  I’m excited but to be honest, I’m also a little nervous about this gathering.  What will happen when the conversation steers out of safe territory (books, movies, favorite childhood TV shows)?  Will it be tense if my friend’s phone starts to ring (which, inevitably, it will)?  Will my non-Jewish guests be uncomfortable if we get into a round of z’mirot after dinner?  I’ll post a comment after Shabbat to give the update - but for now, wish us (pot) luck!