Gathering for Gratitude

Gathering for Gratitude

A Morning of Giving Back

Sunday, November 19
10 – 11:30 a.m.

If you’re interested in participating, limited space is available. Please e-mail Debbie.

Gathering for Gratitude is generously funded through the Ida and Harris Kramer Social Action Endowment Fund and organized by co-chairs Marcene Menendez and Sue Picus with the support of the Tzedek Committee.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities at Shaare Emeth

There are lots of ways to get involved and make a difference at Shaare Emeth or through one of our volunteer partner programs.

Oak Hill Christmas Gifts 2023

Shaare Emeth supports Oak Hill Elementary School in St. Louis City, where 99% of the school’s enrolled students are economically disadvantaged. As in past years, our community has the honor of bringing holiday joy to some of the school’s most needy children.

Unwrapped gifts must be brought to Temple by Friday, December 8.

Shaare Emeth Mitzvah Garden

Congregation Shaare Emeth donates over 600 pounds of fresh produce to the Harvey Kornblum Food Pantry. No garden knowledge is required to volunteer. Please email Debbie Bram. Learn more about our Mitzvah Garden »

Room at the Inn

Once a month, we provide dinner for the participants at the Room at the Inn Shelter. For more information, please text Jennifer Rosenthal at 314-578-1916.

Peter and Paul

Once a month we provide a Taco Bar to the men at the shelter. For more information, please email Ted Houser.

Oak Hill Elementary School

This school is in St. Louis City. We are the only faith-based community assigned to assist the school. Currently, we volunteer in their food pantry and as mentors for the students. For more information, please contact Sue Picus.

Immigration Advocacy and Action

This committee provides direct service to new immigrants and advocates for refugees and immigrants. For more information, please contact Stan Shanker.

St. Louis Bread Co

We do three pickups per week — 150+ times over the year – and deliver bread to the HK Jewish Food Pantry. For more information, please contact Stefanie Greenberg.

For other information about our Tzedek Committee, please contact our chair, Kathy Wiesman.

“You are not required to finish your work, yet neither are you permitted to desist from it.”

ABOUT

Madeleine Elkins & Harvey Wallace

2025 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Madeleine and Harvey have been cherished members of Congregation Shaare Emeth since 1996. Shortly after their wedding, they began “shul shopping” and quickly found a spiritual home at Shaare Emeth—a community whose warmth and values resonated deeply with them. Since then, they have become pillars of both the congregation and the broader St. Louis community.

Madeleine Elkins built a distinguished 45-year career in the corporate world, with leadership roles in medical supply distribution and law firm financial management. Alongside her professional accomplishments, Madeleine has always made time for meaningful volunteer work. She served on the board of the St. Louis Breast Cancer Coalition and was part of the organizing committee for the JCC Senior Olympics in its early years. Her dedication to Jewish community life is evident in her service on various committees for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, including co-chairing the 2017 L’Chaim Event. In 2022, she and Harvey co-chaired the JCC’s J’la gala, raising vital funds for scholarships. At Shaare Emeth, Madeleine is a compassionate member of the Caring Committee, and in 2025, she joined the board of the American Jewish Committee, continuing her lifelong commitment to advocacy and service.

Harvey Wallace is a trailblazer in the accounting world and a passionate community leader. In 1973, he co-founded Brown Smith Wallace, a firm that grew to become the 77th largest CPA firm in the United States, with 340 team members at the time of its 2021 merger with Armanino LLP. He now brings his expertise to Private Fiduciary Solutions. Harvey’s professional success is matched by his extraordinary record of community service. He has held leadership roles on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation of St. Louis (where he served as Chairman from 2015 to 2017), Jewish Family Services, The Magic House (Chairman, 2013–2014), Wyman Center, and the Chancellor’s Council at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. His civic engagement also includes board service with the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the St. Louis Community Foundation, and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center. Harvey has been a dedicated member of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer and was honored with the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Public Service Award.

Madeleine and Harvey are blessed with two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad & Elizabeth Wallace and David & Melissa Wallace, and four grandchildren Emma (23), Katie (19), Miriam (13), and Aaron (11).

Together, Madeleine and Harvey exemplify the spirit of generosity, leadership, and compassion. Their decades of service have touched countless lives and strengthened the fabric of our community. We are proud to honor them with the 2025 Harris Frank Community Service Award.