#idk if that's going to happen again this year considering the Jewish and Muslim calendars are not the same as the Gregorian calendar

[sins-of-the-sea]

//I think part of why I am having difficulty with threads lately is that I am now at a number where I am completely overwhelmed, even with RPthreadtracker (which is a GODSEND, btw).

That isn’t to say you shouldn’t have a starter with me (especially if we haven’t RPed yet!). In fact, feel free to throw them my way, I’ll very likely love it! The problem is that I am very ADHD and I’m on a bajillion medications lmao, sometimes I legitimately need to step back and take life one step of a time.

So forgive me if you sent me a starter and I haven’t answered it yet. Or if tracked your thread and I haven’t answered in a long time. I’ll get to it eventually. Just give me time. I don’t want to burn myself out, I’m still kicking my ass for vanishing for almost an entire year for that burnout in particular.

[j-saying]

To my fellow jews -

I'm going to be very careful about it, but this is something that needs to be said:

Brace yourself, Ramadan is coming.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan starts soon (March 10th), and as I'm going to greet my Muslim friends with "Ramadan Kareem" and "Ramadan Mubarak", it's important to be careful. This isn't, by any means, to say that Ramadan is a bad thing, or "all Muslims are evil" or anything like that.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar (Hijra). During the month, Muslim fast during the day (dawn to sunset). There's a special dinner at night (Iftar) with family and friends. Ramadan is considered a month of holiness, unity/community and joy in Muslim culture. It ends with Id AlFiter (10-12/04, this year), which is a 3-days holiday.

It's also considered a month of battles. Historically speaking, some of it tends to be a rise in anti-jewish violence, especially on Fridays - after people come back from the mosque (but not only). Mostly fuelled by the sentiment to "protect al-aqsa from the dirty jews!"

Again - this is not to, at any way, to say any Muslim is going to be violent. I try to say that some extremists Muslims sees it as a good chance to spread hate. They might even believe it, but it doesn't change the fact that this is harmful in many ways. And this spreads to others, and can end up in violence.

And hi, you know what does not help people get well-considered and calm decisions?

Being hungry.

Why do I mention it?

In this year, as anti-jewish violence is already at highest levels, I think it's important to be aware and risk management. It's important to be even more careful and aware.

I also see a lot of talking about the political suicide, and I feel like it is a serious concern. Please stop glorifying death.

Please stop praising suicide.

Idk what to do. Idk what to say exactly. I want to believe everything is going to be safe. I want to believe nothing's going to happen.

But I've read the history books. And I'm being realistic. Respect and suspect, as once said.

כבדהו וחשדהו.

So watch out, be careful. Both Diaspora and Israel Jews.

Be safe.

Safety advices I know for individuals:

SELF DEFENSE CLASSES - in case of attack, you are very likely to freeze. Practicing and preparing for attack can turn into instinct reactions like fighting back or running

If you listen to music/talk on the phone, keep one ear free.

Don't sleep on public transportation.

Walking on the sideways, stay on the inside part of the sideway, away from the road. (That way, if someone coming to drive gou over, you may get the chance to get out of the way.

Going twice for kids/strollers.

Same for standing in bus stops - if there are benches, stand a little behind the stop (while still visible), so there's something between you and a coming car.

Safety in numbers - walk as a group

Especially walking to/from Jewish places.

Feel free to share any other safety tips - for individuals, communities, or anything.