The Origin: A Temple for the Curious

The Origin: A Temple for the Curious

My curiosity started in the Hare Krishna movement. Growing up in a high-control system made me deeply curious about other religions, and non-religions for that matter. But for me, this wasn’t about religion per se; it was about the humanity behind it.

It started in September 2000. Standing under the soaring arches of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, I was gobsmacked by a vision. I looked at the side chapels and shrines lining the cathedral—each one a small, sacred "cubby" for a different prayer—and I imagined a version of this space where people from all over the world were praying to their respective faiths under one roof.

I wondered: What if we had a space like this, where people of all paths are truly welcome?

As clear as day, I saw a "temple for the curious", a neutral, sacred ground where humans of all paths could safely question, explore, and hold vigil without the weight of dogma. A place where the architecture of the building is matched by the architecture of the conversations, the connections, and the commonwealth we create together.

Post-9/11, that question became an urgent mission. I teamed up with my friend Felena, who was grappling with the same heavy "why": Why is there so much division? How do we find our way back together?

Together, we founded GodLuck.

What began as a "supper club" evolved into a monthly gathering dedicated to the three things that I believe actually move the needle on global peace: learning, eating, and friendship. The philosophy is simple: It’s a lot harder to hate someone once you’ve shared their family recipes and learned their story.

We don’t just study history; we explore humanity over potluck dinners. We don’t just talk about countries; we explore the cultures that live within them. We’re here to soften the walls between us, one meal at a time, because when we understand the "why" behind someone else’s faith and traditions, peace and friendship are possible.