In this week's update:

• Counting the Omer
  
• Spring Fundraiser
  
• Worship services
  
• Coming up at Yavneh
  
• Community
  

Counting the Omer
The Omer is the period of 49 days between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot. Through counting the Omer, we link liberation with revelation. We began counting the Omer on the eve of the second day of Pesach — this year, on Saturday night, April 4. You can count along with Yavneh on our Facebook page or right here on Yavneh's website.

Spring Fundraiser
Yavneh's Spring 2015 Fundraising launched at the beginning of April with a $12,500 matching pledge from several generous Board members. So far we have raised just over $8,500 towards meeting this match. The deadline of April 30th is just days away, so if you have not yet made a donation (or would like to add to your first donation), please visit the Spring Fundraiser page to contribute!

Worship services

• Family-style Shabbat dinner, Friday evening, May 1, 6:00 pm,  - see details below.
  
• Saturday Morning Minyan and Torah Service, May 9, 10:30 am.
  

Please remember to bring donations for the Food Basket or school supplies for Wilburn Elementary when you attend services.  NOTE - Wilburn is currently well-stocked with clothing supplies and does not need any more at this time. THANK YOU!

Coming up at Yavneh

• Shabbat Potluck Dinner and LGBTQ discussion, Friday, May 1. Join us at 6:00 pm for a pot-luck Shabbat dinner in the CLC at St. Marks. After dinner there will be an informal discussion around the topic "Living LGBTQ in Living Judaism,” as a precursor to Yavneh's particpation in Out! Raleigh the following day.  Challah, and Kiddush wine will be provided.  If your last name begins with A – F, please bring dessert; G – N, a main dish; O – Z, a side dish.  Please keep in mind that many of our attendees prefer vegetarian food, and a few, vegan.  RSVP by Thursday noon, April 30 via email or on Meetup. 
  
• Men's Spiritual Group meets Wednesday evening, May 6, 7:30 - 9:00 pm. Contact Lewis for information/RSVP.
  
• The next SoulCollage® session is schedule for Sunday afternoon, May 10th. Details will follow.
  

Learn more about these and other Yavneh programs here.

Community
On Saturday, April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal—the worst quake to hit that country since 1934. The United Nations predicts that tens of thousands are likely dead or injured in Nepal and up to one million will become homeless. Eyewitnesses report that historic buildings and seven major temples have been destroyed near Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and the force of the quake triggered a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest. You can contribute financially to disaster relief through the American Jewish World Service's Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund. Your donation will ensure that thousands of people affected by this earthquake receive the support they desperately need. Their donation page is here.

In this week's update:

• Passover
  
• Worship services
  
• Coming up at Yavneh
  
• In the community
  

 
Passover
The first night of Passover is April 3rd. Yavneh members have several ways to celebrate: 

• On the second night of Passover (Saturday, April 4, 5:30 pm), participate in Yavneh's Un-Seder. We will be gathering at a member's home to enjoy leftovers from the first Seder, and we'll have an open-ended discussion covering unanswered questions from the Haggadah and other topics. Since we will be meeting in a member’s home, only a limited number of people can be accommodated, so be sure to promptly via email or on Meetup!
  
• If you're looking for a more traditional Seder, Beth Meyer Congregation invites Yavneh members to join them on the first night of Passover at their Community Seder - register here.
  
• Seder Match Up - do you have room at your family Seder for a guest or two? Would you like to be a guest at a Yavneh member's Seder? Contact Lewis and we'll try to match you up. 

Worship services

• Kabbalat Shabbat Worship, Friday, March 20th, 7:45 pm: "The Balance Point between Purim and Pesach." 
  

Please remember to bring donations for the Food Basket or school supplies for Wilburn Elementary when you attend services.  NOTE - Wilburn is currently well-stocked with clothing supplies and does not need any more at this time. THANK YOU!
 
Coming up at Yavneh

• Mitzvah Study Group meets this Wednesday evening, March 18, 7:30 - 9:00 pm. Contact Lewis for information/RSVP.
  
• The next Home-Style Shabbat (aka DIY Shabbat) is Friday evening, March 27th, 6pm. Join the Yavneh community in a member's home for pot-luck Shabbat dinner, followed by a discussion of Abraham Joshua Heschel's book "The Sabbath". RSVP here.
  
• Dinner with the Rabbi reconvenes on Sunday, March 29th, 6:30 pm in a new location, Sassool (formerly Neomonde). Join with Reb Raachel and Yavneh community members for food and informal conversation. Sassool is a vegetarian-vegan-lactose and gluten intolerance-budget friendly restaurant in North Raleigh, at corner of Strickland and Six Forks (www.sassool.com). Please RSVP by noon on Friday (3/27) via email or on Meetup.
  
• Men's Spirituality Group meets Wednesday evening, April 1, 7:30 - 9:00 pm (no fooling!). Contact Lewis for information/RSVP.
  

Learn more about these and other Yavneh programs here.
 
In the community

• Out! Raleigh - This year Yavneh will have an information table at Out! Raleigh, a festival in downtown Raleigh sponsored by the LGBT Center of Raleigh, on Saturday May 2nd. If you'd like to volunteer for a 2-hour shift please contact Lewis.