Community & Interfaith Partnerships

Our Friends & Neighbors: Community & Interfaith Partnerships

Congregation Shaare Emeth is fortunate to have many friends and neighbors – organizations we work with in a variety of capacities. Whether we’re planning events and programs together, providing financial or volunteer support, or receiving support, we’re grateful for each of these partnerships!

Intertwine Interfaith Initiative

Intertwine is the name of the collaborative project between Parkway United Church of Christ (PUCC), Turkish American Society of Missouri (TASOM), and Congregation Shaare Emeth. Since its inception in 2016, we have done a number of different programs together including Ramadan Iftar dinners, Tu B’Shevat Seders, and cooking classes. During the pandemic, we offered a number of gatherings on Zoom to share in music, prayer, and laughter.

One of our most rewarding combined initiatives was sponsoring an Afghan refugee family together – you can read more about our Welcome Circle here.

Oak Hill Elementary School

Location: 4300 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis 63116

Oak Hill Co-Chairs: Sue Picus and Dana Weinstein

Shaare Emeth has been the faith partner with Oak Hill School in south city for over 10 years. Our congregation has provided school supplies, teacher appreciation gifts and events, attendance prizes, etc. Each year, we collect holiday gifts for the neediest families. Watch Shaare Mail for requests from the school.

During the school year, we typically have three volunteer opportunities:

Tutoring individuals or small groups of English learners. Contact Debbie Bram to get started on the approval process.
Help in the Library. Contact Sue Picus for more information
Food Pantry weekly, mornings stocking shelves or afternoons filling orders. No background checks or long-term commitment. Sign-up is available for days and times that work for you (coming soon). Contact Sue Picus for more information.

Peter & Paul Community Services

More information, donation, and volunteer opportunities coming soon!

Room at the Inn

More information, donation, and volunteer opportunities coming soon!

International Institute of St. Louis

Current volunteer opportunities can be found here.

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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.