to Intercultural Engagement   There are powerful intercultural dimensions to the art of cooking and the practice of sharing food. Preparing meals is a centerpiece of our in-person gatherings. Members volunteer to host a meal; they; plan and prepare the meal with the help of the group. We select menus from our cultures of origin, a culture in which we had immersed ourselves, or from a place that we were exploring together. As we chop vegetables, shape potstickers, roll sushi, or cook in the hot-pot, we are learning and sharing. As the meal begins, our host tells us why this menu is meaningful to her. She talks about what kinds of ingredients are common in this cuisine and shares the customs for serving and eating the food.   

We practice how to gracefully navigate dietary constraints and personal tastes in food. In the comfort of our Circle, we can name our constraints without offending others, but considering how this might be perceived in a different intercultural context. It can be awkward the first time you explain to someone that you are not going to try something they have carefully prepared for you. This provides insight into how we could  navigate constraints in other contexts.. 

Stories about Sharing Meals.

• Chinese Hotpot as a prelude to sharing for an emerging group.
• A Japanese meal as a prelude to intercultural engagement.
• A Shabbat meal as the centerpiece of our intercultural engagement.