Strategic Plan, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Executive Summary

Congregation Shaare Emeth is a compassionate, respectful, and inclusive community that makes Judaism relevant, meaningful and joyful. Shaare Emeth was founded in 1867 and is the largest congregation in St. Louis with 1500 members.

The organization has a rich tradition, a long history and a significant track record of impact in the community. It is now at an incredibly important inflection point in its lifecycle, and navigating a new reality informed by many factors. The work of Shaare Emeth has never been more important and the strategic direction it takes at this moment in time will significantly impact the organizational trajectory for years to come.

Shaare Emeth retained Stefan Teodosic of Maverick Soul Consulting in the fall of 2024 to lead a comprehensive strategic planning process, with a focus on clarifying the organization’s vision and three-year strategic goals. The process began with visioning, led by Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, with input by the clergy, staff and board.

A strategic Planning Committee was formed including Em Bornstein, Holly Bernstein, Evan Waldman, Lisa Suffian, Jenn Schweisig, Beth Kodner, Lori Levine, Marilyn Ratkin, Steve Golden, Mark Gubernik, Martin Schoen, Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, Craig Neuman, Dana DeBlasi. Based on input from members, board, staff and key stakeholders, Rabbi Goldstein and Stefan drafted a three-year vision for Shaare Emeth centered around the areas of evolving core offerings, talent, governance, financial sustainability and operational excellence. This vision was shared with the vision/strategic plan committee for feedback, before being presented to the board and being turned into a strategic plan by the committee.

Vision and Strategic Planning

The overall process included three phases: vision planning, visioning, and strategic planning Below is a short summary of the work in each phase. Shaare Emeth engaged in a four-step process to create a compelling vision that clearly demonstrates what the organization hopes to achieve over the next three years:

Kickoff/Discovery: Determined a committee to review the vision and consultant conducted discovery including landscape analysis, meetings with staff/board and review of past strategic plan and existing data.
Drafting & Review: Priming session to prepare for vision drafting and drafting process with revisions
Internal Feedback: Committee reviewed and shared feedback on the vision
Present & Finalize: Presented vision for the board and final edits

Shaare Emeth 2028 Strategic Plan

Shaare Emeth is a center for spiritual nourishment (Beit Tefilah), for impactful Jewish learning (Beit Midrash), and for meaningful community connections (Beit Kehillah). Our evolved mission prioritizes deepening connections with our faith and with one another through intentional relationship building. We lift up and live by the Reform Jewish values of honoring the image of God in every person, celebrating with one another in times of joy, caring for one another in times of need, and pursuing acts of justice in our communities and in the world.

These values are felt most strongly in the sense of belonging we create for all members and guests, including interfaith families, people seeking conversion, single-member households, people of all abilities, races, genders, and sexual orientations, and people with differing opinions and points of view. As a Reform Jewish congregation, we are committed to a vision of Israel as a democratic and pluralistic nation guaranteeing justice, freedom, and safety for all its inhabitants and working toward justice and peace with its neighbors. We strive to build meaningful relationships with the diverse people of Israel through educational, programmatic, and travel opportunities. We partner with local faith and justice groups to care for the greater community through acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world).

Worship at Shaare Emeth is meaningful and participatory. Services are filled with music that uplifts the spirit, and prayers and sermons inspire hope and challenge members to live out Reform Jewish values in aspirational and respectful ways. Our clergy strives to connect with all members and bring a sense of warmth, meaning, and joy to worship experiences. Life cycle moments connect families to their Jewish heritage and tradition while still feeling personal and unique. Pastoral Care continues to be at the forefront of the work we do on a daily basis, and we maintain an open pathway for members to share information and reach out in times of need.

Jewish learning is prominent in every aspect of congregational life and across all member life stages. Shirlee Green Preschool is a premier preschool in St. Louis, where families are deeply connected to each other and remain connected to the congregation. Our Religious School offers a journey of learning and connection and meaning – from J Quest through Post Confirmation – anchored by a robust Jewish educational curriculum, outstanding teachers, engaging madrichim and a supportive culture of spiritual exploration and growth. Our amazing informal learning opportunities continue to grow and thrive, including Camp Emeth and our youth engagement program for grades 3-12. Adults of all ages and life stages expand their learning of sacred texts, Jewish history, culture, values, and Israel in classes taught by clergy, staff, and experts in the field.

Engaging and innovative programs are a hallmark of Shaare Emeth. We listen to member feedback and regularly audit programs, investing and sunsetting thoughtfully to best serve our members and mission. Our full-time Director of Member Engagement has elevated programming to include member-interest-based small group programming, diverse activities for all ages/stages, and more opportunities around social action. Programming is driven through a partnership of staff, lay people, and volunteers, which has resulted in increased ownership, investment, and participation. The Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis, anchored by a new advisory board, is thriving with numerous offerings led by a variety of teachers.

Our staff believes in our mission, understands how they contribute to our vision, and actively supports a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability. Our clergy succession plan resulted in a very successful Senior Rabbi transition and a clarified Rabbi Emeritus role. The evolved organizational chart supports strategic priorities, and new job descriptions set clear expectations. We have performance management systems, professional development, and a thoughtful compensation philosophy. The board has evolved in member diversity, skill set, and experience. We have clarified board member and past president responsibilities, evolved committees, built a solid leadership development program, and implemented strong onboarding processes. Board members partner with staff on strategy, actively participate in congregational life, contribute financially at the highest level they are able, and support development work.

Financial sustainability is a top priority. We have shifted our culture, and members view the congregation less as a joined “fee-for-service” organization and more as a genuine source of community in which they feel inspired to invest. More members of our congregation are generously increasing their contributions, moving closer to — or even reaching — the sustaining amount. Excellent budget discipline, solid financial processes, and a focus on strategic investment of resources are the Shaare Emeth standard. Our culture of philanthropy and meaningful donor stewardship has yielded significantly increased donations. The development strategy includes a full-time Development Director, a robust annual campaign, increased endowments, and energized lay leadership.

Our building is a physical manifestation of our mission, and we ensure facilities are properly maintained to support our vision. We have an updated multi-year master site plan that includes scheduled repairs, prioritized renovations, and new projects, including more usable space for Shirlee Green Preschool and Camp Emeth. We have refreshed our brand, invested in external communications to drive new member recruiting, and revamped internal communications to ensure staff alignment, connectivity, and involvement. We have revised all operational processes, re-trained our staff, and created standard operating procedures. We prioritize congregational security and invest in our site, processes, and procedures.

In summary, Shaare Emeth has fully realized a bold and comprehensive vision grounded in intentional relationship building, inclusive community, meaningful worship, and lifelong Jewish learning. We have deepened our commitment to reform Jewish values, strengthened financial sustainability, enhanced operational excellence, and invested in our people and campus. With strong lay and professional leadership, engaged members, and a shared sense of purpose, we have built a vibrant, welcoming, and spiritually nourishing congregation that is well-positioned for continual growth and impact for generations to come.

Strategic Plan

The following outlines the strategic planning process, which took place from Fall 2024 – Summer 2025. The multi stepped process included the involvement of key stakeholders engaging in the following ways:

Kickoff: Discussed process, reviewed the vision and clarified strategic priorities and goals.
Drafting: Committee meetings to review priorities/goals and establish goal owners
Internal Feedback: Review and update initiatives and KPI’s, committee meetings to review and update the draft plan and board vote.
Present & Finalize: Create accountability documents and dashboards of KPIs to be reviewed monthly

Strategic Priority Areas

These are the big areas outlined for organizational focus – priority areas are measurable, define success, and describe what you want to accomplish. Through the visioning process, the strategic planning core team identified five strategic priority areas for the next three years (2025-2027). These will be used as an anchor for the work of the organization and can also be used in communications and marketing materials as appropriate.

Strategic Priority 1 – Evolve core offerings to elevate member engagement, spirituality and learning
Strategic Priority 2 – Identify, develop and retain the best professional talent to implement vision
Strategic Priority 3 – Invest in opportunities that directly impact long-term financial sustainability
Strategic Priority 4 – Develop lay leadership to ensure mission fulfillment
Strategic Priority 5 – Evolve infrastructure to support growth, mitigate risk, and achieve operational excellence

Goals

Goals are the measurable milestones that are reached to attain the objectives. To accomplish each of the pillars identified through the visioning process, the committee outlined specific goals. Each goal was assigned an owner who will be responsible for accomplishing these goals by setting timelines, initiatives and key performance indicators (outlined in more detail below).

Strategic Priority 1 – Evolve core offerings to elevate member engagement, spirituality and learning

Goal 1 – Revise mission, core values and code of ethics to guide actions and inform strategy
Goal 2 – Create an ongoing process to collect feedback and audit programs, learning, worship and external community engagement
Goal 3 – Create cohort and interest-based programming strategy to deeply engage membership
Goal 4 – Create Mindfulness Center plan to build a sustainable, differentiated program

Strategic Priority 2 – Identify, develop and retain the best professional talent to implement vision

Goal 1 – Create and implement Senior Rabbi succession plan to ensure leadership consistency
Goal 2 – Evolve organizational chart and update job descriptions to best support strategy
Goal 3 – Build performance management systems to set expectations and drive accountability
Goal 4 – Create employee engagement plan to maximize satisfaction, retention and outcomes

Strategic Priority 3 – Invest in opportunities that directly impact long term financial sustainability

Goal 1 – Hire fulltime Development Director and Member Engagement Director to support financial growth
Goal 2 – Evolve annual congregational contribution strategy to increase member financial support
Goal 3 – Build fundraising strategy to drive culture of philanthropy, annual campaign, endowment
Goal 4 – Refresh brand, evolve storytelling and create marketing plan to engage membership and shape broader community awareness.
Goal 5 – Create member retention and recruiting plan to sustain current membership levels

Strategic Priority 4 – Develop lay leadership to ensure mission fulfillment

Goal 1 – Re-design Board and Operating Committee structure, processes and expectations to support organizational effectiveness
Goal 2 – Strengthen committee infrastructure and expand volunteer engagement to support organizational leadership and community participation.
Goal 3 – Evolve board culture, education and training to enhance board experience and engagement
Goal 4 – Create past president strategy to fully engage and activate prior leadership

Strategic Priority 5 – Evolve infrastructure to support growth, mitigate risk and achieve operational excellence

Goal 1 – Create reserve plan (projects/scheduled repairs) and site usage plan to ensure appropriate facilities quality
Goal 2 – Build risk management plan to drive compliance, protect assets and ensure continuity
Goal 3 – Complete process redesign and build financial, HR and technology plans to support operational excellence
Goal 4 – Continuously update site security processes, training to ensure congregational safety

Appendix 1: Full Vision - Shaare Emeth 2028

Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman

Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rabbi Emeritus Jeffrey Stiffman received his undergraduate degree from Loyola College and was ordained in 1965 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology in 1972. He served as Assistant Rabbi of Shaare Emeth from 1965-1968 and was named Senior Rabbi in 1971, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2004, when he was named Rabbi Emeritus. During his tenure, Rabbi Stiffman and his staff instituted many innovative programs of worship, education, and social justice. Rabbi Stiffman and his wife, Arlene, have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Rabbi Morgan Tobey

Assistant Rabbi of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rabbi Morgan Tobey joined the congregation as Assistant Rabbi on July 1, 2026, bringing with her a deep commitment to Jewish learning, leadership, and community building. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Rabbi Tobey’s Jewish journey began during her undergraduate years at the University of Southern California, where her involvement with Hillel introduced her to rabbinical students who challenged her assumptions about Judaism and inspired her own path to the rabbinate. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from USC before returning to Dallas, where she worked as an elementary and early childhood educator and served in numerous lay leadership roles at Temple Emanu-El.

Rabbi Tobey was ordained in May 2026 from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, where she also earned a Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature and a Certificate in Jewish Organizational Leadership from the Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management. During her time at HUC-JIR, she distinguished herself as a talented leader and community builder, receiving the Burton Lehman Prize in Jewish Leadership, the Sylvia Levenstein Prize in Human Relations, and the Gavi Klonsky Award for Amitz Lev—recognizing spirit, character, and strength of heart. Her rabbinical training included service to the Community Synagogue of Rye, Cornell University Hillel, and her classmates as Student Association President.

Outside of synagogue life, you can find Rabbi Tobey cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Wings, obsessing over Amy Poehler’s podcast, and planning Disney trips!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Rabbi Andrew Terkel

Associate Rabbi of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rabbi Andrew Terkel joined Congregation Shaare Emeth as Associate Rabbi in 2026. A warm and relationship-centered Reform rabbi, he is passionate about helping individuals and families find meaning, connection, and belonging through Jewish life. Prior to coming to Shaare Emeth, Rabbi Terkel served as Executive Director of Student to Student, a national program of the Jewish Federations of North America, and previously held leadership roles with Be The Narrative, the Union for Reform Judaism’s NFTY youth movement, Greene Family Camp, and Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in Charleston, South Carolina, where he served as Assistant Rabbi.

Rabbi Terkel was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he also earned a Certificate in Jewish Nonprofit Management, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Kansas. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, he credits synagogue life, Jewish camp, and youth groups with shaping his Jewish identity and inspiring his rabbinate. Rabbi Terkel enjoys music, storytelling, and creating meaningful Jewish experiences across generations. He and his wife, Hannah, and their sons, Avi and Micah, have been proud members of the Shaare Emeth community since moving to St. Louis in 2022.

Rabbi Lori Levine

Associate Rabbi & Director of Education of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rabbi Lori Levine serves as Associate Rabbi and Director of Education at Congregation Shaare Emeth, overseeing the Religious School and creating connections for our families with children to the wider temple community. Originally from New Jersey, Rabbi Levine was shaped by her years at Jewish summer camp, non-profit work, working as a community organizer, living in Israel on the URJ Heller High program, and volunteer work with elders. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University in European and Mediterranean Studies in 2010. She received her rabbinic ordination and Master’s in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, CA, in 2018.

Rabbi Levine is an experienced and passionate educator with extensive experience in curriculum writing, teacher mentorship, programming, and more. She believes that rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning is the key to creating vibrant Jewish communities and Jewish identities. Rabbi Levine is an active member of the national Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE) and Past President of JPro StL. She is married to Joe Ferris and the proud mom of two boys.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Cantor Seth Warner

Cantor of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Cantor Seth Warner, originally from Southern California, has degrees from University of Redlands and Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. He was ordained in 2001.

He has served two synagogues with distinction during his career. First, he served the historic Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, weathering Hurricane Katrina and producing Touro’s Jazz Fest Shabbat to high acclaim.

He began serving Congregation Shaare Emeth in 2007. He oversees the Congregation’s music and worship portfolios and leads the B’Mitzvah program, in addition to his other cantorial duties as a full clergy partner with his colleagues.

He currently serves as Immediate Past President of the American Conference of Cantors.

Seth and his wife, Shayna, are the proud parents of two boys.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, D.Min

Successor Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rabbi Andrea Goldstein received her undergraduate degree in Communications Studies from Northwestern University and was ordained from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1998. In May of 2023, Rabbi Goldstein earned her Doctor of Ministry and her honorary Doctor of Divinity from HUC-JIR. She has served as rabbi at Congregation Shaare Emeth for the past 28 years, and in 2028 she will become the congregation’s first female Senior Rabbi.

Rabbi Goldstein is a graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Rabbinic Leadership Program and the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teachers’ Training Program, and she holds a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. In 2018, she founded and became the director of the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis.

Locally, Rabbi Goldstein is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinic and Cantorial Association, serves on the AccessMO Advisory Board, the NCJW Advisory Council, and the Advisory Committee of the Jewish Fund for Human Needs. Nationally, Rabbi Goldstein is an at-large board member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Rabbi Goldstein’s rabbinate is centered around the creation of sacred community, the call for social justice, and the cultivation of spiritual practices. Rabbi Goldstein is married to Brett Goldstein and is the proud mother of Macey, Eli, and Lila.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Rabbi Jim Bennett

Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rabbi James M. Bennett became Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shaare Emeth in 2004. He received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and was ordained in 1984 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon ordination, Rabbi Bennett served Shaare Emeth as Assistant and Associate Rabbi from 1984 to 1993. He then served as Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Charlotte, NC, from 1993-2003 before returning to St. Louis and Shaare Emeth. Rabbi Bennett has devoted his career to strengthening the involvement of youth and adults in programs of education, social justice, spiritual growth, community building, and interfaith relations. Rabbi Bennett and his wife, Amy, have three children, Abigail, Ethan, and Michelle, and their Labrador Retrievers, Gus and Ophelia.

Pronouns: he/him/his

ABOUT

Leanne & Harvey Schneider

2026 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Harvey and Leanne Schneider have devoted their lives to strengthening both the Jewish and broader St. Louis communities through leadership, service, education, and a deep commitment to bringing people together.

A St. Louis native, Harvey Schneider attended local public schools before earning both his undergraduate business degree and law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Following graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. After five years of federal service, he returned to St. Louis and became a partner in private law practice. Over a legal career spanning more than five decades, Harvey represented family-owned businesses and private individuals in a wide range of business matters.

Harvey’s commitment to civic and Jewish communal life has been equally extensive. He has served as President of Congregation Shaare Emeth, the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, the Central Agency for Jewish Education, the Little Symphony Concerts Association, and the Forever Young Club at the Missouri Athletic Club. In addition, he dedicated 26 years to public service on the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Town and Country, including three years as chairman.

After graduating from Washington University, Leanne Schneider spent a year studying in France. Upon her return to St. Louis, she became deeply involved in international student exchange programs, first with the Experiment in International Living and later with AFS, fostering cross-cultural understanding and lifelong connections among people of different backgrounds. This commitment to building bridges naturally extended to her involvement with the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis.

Leanne also taught French and Spanish at Brittany Junior High School before she and Harvey started their family. Throughout the years, she has shared her passion for education and community service by tutoring New Americans through the English Language School, serving on Congregation Shaare Emeth’s first Caring Committee, and volunteering as a reader with Ready Readers. Today, she continues to nurture her love of learning and literature through a book club that includes many members of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Together, Harvey and Leanne have exemplified a lifetime of generosity, service, and leadership. Their dedication to education, interfaith understanding, civic engagement, and Jewish communal life has enriched countless lives throughout St. Louis. They are the proud parents of three children and grandparents of four, and their enduring legacy continues to inspire future generations.