#Diwali festival preparations

[thehansindiaseo]

Delhi CM Atishi Ensures Pothole-Free Diwali Ahead

Delhi CM Atishi promises a pothole-free Diwali, assuring residents of safe and well-maintained roads during her recent inspection across the capital.

[webutopiantech]

🌟 Diwali prep is in full swing at Web Utopian!💥 🏵 Our team is hard at work transforming our office into a vibrant, festive wonderland, filled with lights and joy. We can’t wait to celebrate the spirit of Diwali together, embracing the warmth, laughter, and positivity this beautiful festival brings. Stay tuned as we bring the festive vibes to life! 🎉🪔

[tanuandthetriplets]

Diwali Aur Tayari - Bina Triplets Wali!! | Diwali Celebration - Triplets Vlog - 13th Nov’23

[makeupreviewandbeautyblog]

Celebrate Diwali in Sparkling Style: Smart Cleaning Hacks for the Festival of Lights!

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time for celebration, joy, and togetherness. It’s a time to illuminate our lives with the brilliance of lamps, delicious feasts, and the warmth of loved ones. As we prepare to welcome this special festival, it’s essential to ensure that our homes are not only beautifully decorated but also spotlessly clean. In this article, we will explore some smart Diwali…

[imraespace]

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT so light up their world, it shall be enjoyed by everyone.

PAIRINGS: no pairings but includes sumeru characters GENRE: modern au but still present in sumeru NOTE: if there's anything wrong here please correct me!! WORD COUNT: 1.7k

"The spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance."

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"The time to destroy all our dark desires and thoughts, eradicate dark shadows and evils, and gives us the strength to carry on with our goodwill for the rest of the year."

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"So.. can I use my sparkler to scare the evil away?"

Your eyes shifted to one of the kids present in your circle. A small smile formed on your face as you heard the question.

"Well.. yes you can-"

"CMON GUYS LET'S GO!"

"Oh.. at least they're in the spirit." You mumbled to yourself.

You rose from your seat and fixed your skirt. Your eyes lingered on the children, running away and enjoying the view of the sparklers in their hands. Just two minutes ago they were begging for some Diwali stories. Oh well!

"Y/N! You look so beautiful!"

Your attention on the children was moved as soon as you heard a new voice. Your head turned in the direction and noticed the elderly woman who stood right in front of you.

Her eyes shifted from your saree to your accessories, to your bindi. Admiring your beauty on the whole, giving you the warmest smile.

"Thank you ma'am," You replied, returning the smile. Your eyes wandered to her hand, actually to the item in her hand.

"Do you need help?" You asked, stretching out your hand. But to your surprise, the woman shook her head, yet still offering it to you.

"It's actually for you and your parents, your mother helped me once, this is my thanks." She explained, giving you the basket filled of sweets.

"Oh, thank you!"

You took the basket out of her hand and gave her yet another smile. Her eyes made their way onto your hand and offered a suggestion.

"If you want, I can offer to do your mehndi." Her body moved in the opposite direction, showing you a group of ladies who were conversing with each other while letting their mehndi dry.

Your eyes made their way back onto the woman and agreed to her offer, making your mini-departure and beginning your adventure back to your home, with sweets in hand.

The sun had already set, yet the city was not dark. It was lit up, beautiful lanterns everywhere, diyas being lit and placed at the entrances of homes. So your venture back home was well lit, not only with the lights but with the smiles of passersby and children outside who were enjoying the activities.

That elderly woman wasn't a stranger, in fact, everyone who's a local isn't strangers to each other. But that woman always offers gifts to your family every year, so it won't be shocking if your mother has a gift prepared for you to give the woman.

As your home was in view, your mother noticed you as she was opening the windows, in the hope of Mother Lakshmi finding her way inside to bless them with wealth and success.

"Y/N, you're back! Before you return back to the city, can you help me place the diyas around the house? And outside. Please!" Your mother informed you, opening the door for you.

You made your way inside and made it into the kitchen, greeting your father and witness the food on the table.

"I brought snacks, we can eat them later."

Your father nodded at your words, then asked a question.

"Are your friends still coming over?" He asked.

"Cyno and the others? Of course."

With those last words being spoken, your mini activity with your mother started, diyas placed around the house, more attraction for Mother Lakshmi.

Before you left the house once again, your mother gave you a basket of sweets to offer the elderly woman.

You made your way back to the city, gave the gift to the woman, and got your mehndi done as well! The ladies nearby invited you into their conversation as you let your hands dry.

In the end, once you were finished, you bid them goodbye and left.

On your mini walk, a certain someone caught your attention, she blended in with the children nearby. Talking about children, it's the group from earlier and upon noticing you, they invited you over.

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"That looks amazing, good job guys!" You praised them. The group of children all came together to create rangoli, along with..

"Y/N?" A soft voice reached your ears.

"Nahida, hello." You greeted, bending a bit to reach her level, giving her a small pat on her head. Nahida wore a lehenga, a green one that complimented her eyes.

A small smile made its way onto her face as her eyes shifted from you and back to the children that surrounded her, witnessing the teamwork each kid put into creating the rangoli.

Nahida stood up from her spot and turned to face you.

"Is it time to go? I got caught up with them, I forgot about the invitation to your house." She started.

"No, it's not time, I'm just strolling and then I saw you!" You simply explained, causing the girl to nod at your words.

"Shall I join you?"

"Of course!"

You two then made your way deeper into the city, in hopes of maybe finding your friends along the way.

As you wished, the stroll with Nahida was indeed calming but in doing so, you met up with some familiar faces. That being Tighnari and Collei.

Upon seeing you both, Collei gave you two a cheerful wave as her face lit up. Tighnari noticed and began walking up, Collei slowly following behind.

"Is it time?" He asked. You shook your head no and asked a few questions.

"Have you seen the others?" You asked, though before you could've gotten an answer, Nilou came up from behind.

"I'm here!" She exclaimed, twirling in her saree. She gave you a tight hug, then turned you around, showing Cyno and Candace.

"Everyone's here!" You said, expressing your excitement with a bright smile and clasping your hands together.

"Since we're all together, won't it make sense we make our way back to your house?" Nahida asked, placing all the attention on her.

"Sure, we can." You replied.

The newly formed group of friends followed behind you as you all ventured back, that is.. Until something caught your eye, rather someone.

The group noticed the change in your behavior and stopped walking.

"Is something wrong?" Cyno asked, placing his hand on your shoulder.

You turned to face him, then your friends, and decided to change up the plans.

"Let's go back, but I have a suggestion to make."

"And that us?" Tighnari asked.

"I'll explain once we get back. let's go."

"May the lights of Diwali brighten your path and illuminate your life with peace and joy."

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"Is everything ready?"

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In your hands held a lantern, making your way with not only your friends but everyone you've talked to tonight, that elderly woman, the children, the ladies, and your parents, all holding diyas, lanterns, sweets, and tasty food.

The sight was wondrous, everyone came together yet the plan wasn't completed, not as yet.

You, being the first and the only person to notice, made your way to the dark and silent home, a bit far from the city's light. Silently, you rested the lantern on the floor and knocked on the door.

Knock!

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"What do you want."

"For you to open up of course."

"Then you'll be waiting there all night long."

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"You're still there aren't you..?"

"Mhm!"

Just then, you heard a sigh from the other side causing you to laugh a bit. You picked back up your lantern as he opened up the door, glaring at you.

"Why are you here? You're supposed to be enjoying the festival."

You smiled at the mention of the festival.

"I'm here to bring the festival to you Scaramouche."

"Why?"

"I saw you peeking in the darkness, I know you want to join in, but too scared to ruin it, is that what you're thinking?"

Indeed that is what he was exactly thinking. Yet he won't admit to that.

"Just go back." He ended, about to close the door but his eyes caught onto the light in the background, rather at how the light got closer..

Then it hit him.

"What are you.."

"Like I said, bringing the festival to you, everyone should enjoy the warmth of Diwali." You explained with a warm smile.

His eyes softened for a second yet he hid it with a sigh and walked off into the darkness, leaving his door open.

You accepted his silent invitation, before entering you hung the lantern up outside his home and walked in.

The darkness and silence were soon removed as everyone slowly made it inside. The children, along with Nahdia all came in with diyas, placing them around his home.

Your mother placed the food on the table, then made her way to open his windows.

Others with sweets and more food placed them on the table as well, joining the others as they all began to share them with everyone.

His eyes witnessed how slowly his house changed, light everywhere, friends and family inside and outside, all chatting and laughing.

You made your way towards him, holding a diya.

"Do you wanna decorate this?"

His eyes shifted onto you, and then asked a simple question.

"Why did you do this?"

You turned to face everyone, who had sparklers, who ate, and who were just enjoying the mood.

"Diwali is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It's celebrated with everyone, I won't allow anyone to be alone in darkness at a time like this."

"Hm." His eyes lingered on the children who decided to create a rangoli in the middle of his living room.

Nahida walked up to him with a sparkler in her hand.

"This represent the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance and evil, and also.." She started, grabbing his hand and walked outside.

Everyone followed behind, all making their way outside.

The sound of fireworks caught the attentions as it lit up the sky.

"These also represent the light." She finished.

Nilou, along with a few younger girls all danced around with their sparklers. Cyno, Tighnari and Collei enjoyed the sight of the fireworks.

"Happy Diwali." You said, turning to face the duo.

"Happy Diwali"

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"Do you still wanna decorate this diya?"

"Yeah sure, whatever.."

MASTERLIST || IMRAESPACE

NOTE: HAPPY DIWALI!! may it be filled with warmth and happiness! just for clarification, im not indian nor am i hindu, last time i did this i got mistaken as one and i felt bad in a way LMAO. i live in a multi-culture country so i kinda grew up with diwali and celebrated it by participating in the activities like decorating diyas n such. its one of my favorite time because its really nice to learn about other's beliefs and how they openly share it with others also the snacks r yummy but thats besides the point. those who celebrates it i hope you enjoy your 5 days of diwali!

oh heres a board of all the pins that inspired me along the way!

[singlesomethinginstyle]

It is festive season in South Asia, and women are some of the most overworked among all social groups.

Suddenly, it is not just you, your partner/parents/siblings anymore - it is the entire extended clan, khandaan, their nosy relatives even with several degrees of separation.

The bulk of festive burden falls on women. From the cooking, an extensive menu that comprises unhealthy food which will not be fully consumed because everyone is diabetic or dieting, and the heartbroken woman has to finish what she painstakingly prepared or watch it go to the trash, to endless decor needs, shopping and gifting the extended family (a fine art which, god forbid you gift one relative something and another differently, tempers erupt) not to mention your own professional deadlines because your boss wants everything early so he can justify the 3-4-5 fay holidays.

Then comes the dieting because you KNOW you will be judged for your appearance, the clothing choices, the exhaustion of dealing with nasty relatives and the politics.

And if you're queer, in the closet or struggling or even simply wanting to be single or avoid marriage, suddenly your life is everyone's business, and this endless social nightmare, the bullying and the ostracism is the opposite of divine, it is debasing. God forbid if you are part of an inter-caste or inter-faith coupling, the negativity is worse.

Here are a few tips on how you can take care of yourself during this season.

You've gotta put yourself first. You cannot fight multiple battles on multiple fronts if you cannot take care of yourself first. FEED YOURSELF FIRST.

Look in the mirror ' and tell yourself - this festive season I am celebrating ME - I will feed myself first. You cannot fight big battles on an empty tank.

1. Food: eat before everyone else - get in the kitchen, make yourself something healthy in half an hour, cut a salad, a bunch of fruits and eat first. Cut up a few veggies at night, put it in a tiffin box and leave it in the fridge. When everyone is snoozing, have that. They will balance out all the junk that will go into your stomach. Don't start any ridiculous fast that will drain you. Get a doctor's note if you are being pressured and say - sorry maa ji. Health reasons I have to be careful.

2. Get a pre-festival health checkup. Go to the doctor and get your stats checked. Some labs offer full-body general health checkups at discounted rates. Grab a package and finish it. When you know where you are struggling, yiu can avoid making it worse.

3. Protect your money. Festive seasons have a pile of insidious stupid expenses that pile up and guess who pays ? The woman, the wife, the daughter in law. Do you think your Husband or inlaws will shell money out for that cute decor and diya set? No way. If you hold them accountable, they will probably give some money for all the gifts relatives give. Remove your credit cards and debit cards from online shopping sites. Pretend something is wrong with your card and it got blocked. Make your husband or In-laws pay instead.

So get realistic, set up a budget and empty your bank account into an FD. Congratulations, you only have a SMALL amount of money left for decorations - use that to get inventive and clever. Pull out old newspapers, and get into wealth-from-waste mode.

If you are even smarter, you will quietly set up an alternative savings account WITHOUT a debit card or credit card and squirrel away your Dussehra - Diwali bonus into it. If your husband asks, "Sorry yar, iss bar company mein bonus nahi de rahe hain, kaafi projects mein behind hue and they arent doing that well"

If you are still living with your parents make it a point to save every money gift you get. Take the cash, hide it safely and don't touch it. First opportunity - put it in the bank account (your own, not a shared one)

4. Secure your Jewelry. A pot of desi women are given gold and precipus jewelry during their marriage but this is often sneakily taken away by your mother in law in order to "safeguard it". It is usually in the bank or a locker you do not have access to.

So, this festive season, go FULL on TRADITIONAL. Wear that old saree, and ask mom in law for your jewelry because your extended family etc are mentioning seeing those pieces from your wedding, because they got sentimental. And then sneakily after the festivities, hide them in your own little locker (which you bought beforehand) and quietly head to the bank, and deposit it in a safe deposit box in YOUR name.

Remember, GOLD is one of the most secure available financial assets for a desi woman. But the gold you have is often controlled by your in-laws once you marry over. So make sure you take iy back bit by bit. And when they ask - make excuses like - the clasp is broken, need repairs, mom wants to upgrade it a little etc. And never give it back to your inlaws. Your gold is YOUR legal property. It should not go to your inlaws.

5. Mentally prepare for tough conversations.

Festive seasons are hard on women and they socially slaughter your dignity. Prepare snarky, sarcastic answers or don't hesitate to shut down what comes your way. But since many of you are raised to be docile, remember to anticipate all the tough topics someone will raise to criticize you, think of their personaliry and prepare some snarky answers beforehand. If a relative is asking abiut your marriage, ask them when their son is going to move out or if they're still a financial burden. Ask if their husbands have stopped ogling the maid. Don't be scared of going offensive. These guys are not your friends and won't hesitate to pull you down.

6. Prepare Me time. Make a set of activities, like groceries etc, that that can leave you alone and give you breathing space from the khandaan. Take longer to shop alone and take a break in the neighbourhood park. Use this time to meditate, check in with yourself and your goals and give youraelf a spiritual pat kn the back.

7. Prep an easy menu and donate the remaining. Plan a food menu that is not extensive. Order delicacies if possible, instead of Doing it Yourself. There is no BEST BAHU and BEST WIFE contest to win. Get the load of cooking off your back. If there is food leftover, call an orphanage and send it to them. Do not eat excessively out of guilt. Donate it to those who need it. When the burden of cooking is reduced the guilt of forced eating goes doen and you won't be putting junk in your body.

Remember - you are your own best friend. Festivals will take a lot out of you. They will cause families to get into unnecessary pissing contests and you have to bear the laborous brunt. So safeguard your time and energy.

[kurogane2512]

My country: has the most religious and auspicious festival ongoing with my mom preparing all week for it, everyone visits temples and relatives to wish for the festivities and overall being very religious

Meanwhile me: writing the most filthy toe curling smut fanfics on breeding my 2d wives

Sounds about right.

Happy Diwali to all Indians here tho🥳❤️

[amberlide]

Amit Thakkar head-canons

After Natty, Leander and Garreth, finally my boy Amit. If not for Garreth I'd write something about him since he's my all time second favorite! These are personal and related to my fanficion :)

As a kid he was afraid of the dark. To make things worse a friend told him about Goblins kidnapping children to feed dragons in the Gringott's vaults.

He started learning Gobblidook in a half-serious attempt to convince Goblins not to take him XD 

He harbors a deep affection for his late grandmother, who passed during his third year at Hogwarts, leaving a lasting impact on him.

His grandmother helped him in overcoming his fear of the dark, cultivating a shared passion for stargazing, which started with the gift of his first telescope from her. "It is in the darkest of nights that the stars shine the brightest."

Diwali, the festival of lights, is Amit's favorite festival which is held during the darkest week with the new moon (Every time he’s looking at the night sky it’s like he has his own little Diwali). He only visited India twice.

The scent of fresh parchment, reminiscent of the pages where he pens his memoirs, is what Amit smells in his Amortentia potion.

Amit has an unusual dream to declare his love in Gobbledegook. Despite Penelope's advice against it, he finds the idea romantically unconventional :D

As a member of the Gobstone Club with Zenobia, Amit has dedicated hours to retrieving her lost Gobstones, unaware that Penelope is the one misplacing them.

Although not a Prefect, which he aspired to be, Amit is on a mission to accumulate extra credits, aiming to prove he's more deserving of the title than the current appointee. (Lucky for me because I need him in my mischiefs XD)

As an only child, Amit's childhood was filled with books and quiet contemplation, but he has always dreamt of adventure of some sorts, just to regret the idea of it soon after.

His grandmother gave him a hand-knotted Pashmina shawl for his 10th birthday, infused with a blend of Sandalwood and Neroli oil that magically lasts forever.

Amit relishes spicy vegetarian cuisine, with Khandvi, skillfully prepared by his father, ranking as his all-time favorite dish.

He's the first one who witnessed the first act of bullying on Penelope, but he was too late to stop it. He will always regret it.

[epadosi1]

Tips for celebrating Diwali at your home

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a beautiful opportunity to embrace Indian culture and create lasting memories with loved ones. Want to make your home celebration truly special? Here are some meaningful tips to enhance your festivities:

Pre-Diwali Preparations: Start with a clean home and festive decorations to invite positive energy. Prayer and Worship: Gather for a heartfelt Diwali puja, seeking blessings for prosperity. Delightful Diwali Treats: Share traditional sweets and savories to spread joy among family and friends. From cultural activities to going green, there are plenty of ways to celebrate! Curious for more ideas to light up your Diwali? Click here for the full article on ePadosi.com!

[nyraxodeyer]

Diwali at the Emerald - Nyra Odeyer

Festive season was a very toned downed affair for Nyra, heart nor mind were in making the celebrations grand or fanciful but there was plentiful to eat at the feast The Emerald Hotel decided to host for Diwali. It should be a cause for more celebration given that it shared dates with two others, but since that Meena and Dhruv were still missing, cheer was minimal this year. She did dress up for the occasion though, seeing as she was also playing host, a simple orange saree was donned (the colour being a nod to Halloween) something that would have been fancier had the situation been any different. Planning and preparation for the feast and festivities had been underworks for a while too and not wanting to undo the work, it continued alongside search parties with Nyra overseeing everything.

It's a bit unfortunate that she rushed out of the feast, leaving the responsibility to the staff to keep it going, but when word reached that Meena and Dhruv had been found, well, she had to go.

[imaricyeah12]

AUUUGH HERE I GO AGAIN FORGETTING TO PREPARE SOMETHING LIKE AN ART PIECE FOR FESTIVALS OR HOLIDAYS UGH WHATEVER

but *sighh* happy halloween and diwali 🪔🎇🎃👻

(quick doodle lel)

[idigitizellp21]

5 Interesting facts about Diwali

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is one of the most widely celebrated religious occasions across the world. Here are some of the most surprising facts about Diwali that you probably didn’t know.

1. The day Lakshmi visits her devotees

Goddess Lakshmi visits her devotees and bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. To welcome the Goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings. Devotees believe the happier Lakshmi is with the visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.

2. Different Diwali stories

Many see Diwali honouring the return of the lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from exile, as told in the ancient Hindu epic called the Ramayana. To some, Diwali marks the return of Pandavas after 12 years of Vanvas and one year of agyatavas in the other ancient Hindu epic called the Mahabharata. Many other Hindus believe Diwali is linked to the celebration of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of deity Vishnu. The five day festival of Diwali begins on the day Lakshmi was born from the churning of cosmic ocean of milk during the tug of war between the forces of good and forces of evil; the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband and then married him. Some Hindus offer pujas to additional or alternate deities such as Kali, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Other Hindus believe that Diwali is the day Vishnu came back to Lakshmi and their abode in the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her good mood, and therefore are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being during the year ahead. But mostly the festival is considered the return of the Lord Rama and Sita after completing fourteen years in exile.

3. On the day of Diwali, Lord Mahavira attained his Moksha

In Jainism, Diwali commemorates the anniversary of Lord Mahavir‘s attainment of moksha, or freedom from the cycle of reincarnation, in 527 B.C.E. Lord Mahavir was the 24th and last Thirtankar of Jainism and revitalized the religion as it is today. First referred to in Jain scriptures as dipalikaya, or light leaving the body, it is said that the earth and the heavens were illuminated with lamps to mark the occasion of Lord Mahavir’s enlightenment.

4. Sikhs commonly called Diwali Bandi Chhor Divas

Diwali, for Sikhs, marks the Bandi Chhor Divas, when Guru Har Gobind Ji freed himself and Hindu Kings, from Fort Gwalior, from the prison of Islamic ruler Jahangir, and arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Ever since then, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Choor Divas, with the annual lighting up of Golden Temple, fireworks and other festivities.

5. It is a national holiday in India, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Nepal, Mauritius,  Guyana,  Singapore, Suriname, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Fiji. And is an optional holiday in Pakistan.

Diwali is celebrated around the world, particularly in countries with significant populations of Hindu, Jain and Sikh origin. These include Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom,United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With more understanding of Indian culture and global migration of people of Indian origin, the number of countries where Diwali/Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it is becoming part of the general local culture. In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important variations are worth mentioning.

[widthofmytongue]

This Elul, I have had some struggles. Not as major as some in the past, but in particular I have been dealing with more than a little antisemitism at work. It's been hard to prepare myself for forgiveness, forgiveness for others and forgiveness for myself.

But in the last couple days, the final days of 5783, I've had some exchanges that have reaffirmed in me a sense of community and good will.

First, a comrade in my union meeting, while discussing plans for an upcoming strike, said almost verbatim:

'If I am not for myself, then who is for me; and if I am for myself alone, then what am I; and if not now then when?'

I laughed aloud at the wisdom of our ancestors and almost exclaimed 'Rabbi Hillel!' - in a union meeting of 30+ goyim. And this comrade, ready to walk out and picket at the very end of our strike mandate, is also a goy. A learned goy, yes, but even so, could she have known what she was saying? The solidarity manifest to me then is hard to describe.

Then I asked a Hindu colleague if she celebrated Christmas, as part of the antisemitism I've encountered at work of late has related to insistant and I think assimilationist plans for an office Christmas party which would prevent me lighting the menorah for Chanukkah. The week of Rosh Hashanah seems an odd time to plan Christmas, but eh. I thought the Christian hegemony may have impacted my Hindu colleague as well. She responded:

'I put up lights, but it's not a big deal. What's really important is Diwali! It's a great time for family, a festival of lights.'

I smiled and told her, 'yeah, we got one of those too'. Even as a lonely Jew in my workplace, I am not alone.

Then, on my way home, some random teenagers smiled and shouted at me in the park, asking excitedly if I'm Kurdish. I realised they noticed my keffiyeh, and told them it's Palestinian, which excited them more as they shouted over one another in Arabic, asking if I was Palestinian then. I told them I'm Jewish, but that's kind of the point. I joked they could call me keffiyeh kinderlach, and told them it's funny they thought I was Kurdish, as I had just been speaking about Öcalan earlier. Just hearing someone twice their age and white speak the name Öcalan filled them with joy, and we exchanged shouts of 'Free Öcalan!' back and forth as I left to catch my train home. 'The revolution has always been in the hands of the young'.

But then, perhaps most importantly, I was telling comrade @derdra recently that I am rather isolated as a Jew where I am, as the only temples in my vacinity are currently occupied by a music school and a rail station outbuilding. Days later, unprompted, she shared with me a post she made that reminds me of a lot of important truths. Many of these truths I think are particularly important to keep in mind during Teshuvah, but I'll let them speak for themselves. The message I want to leave here is twofold: you're never alone when you say you're a Jew - though we're miles apart; and always remember, our holiest mitzvah is to heal, ourselves, our community, and our world.

So have a sweet new year, comrades, and together we can make a sweeter world.