Voting Rights

Every Voice, Every Vote

The Voting Rights Committee at Congregation Shaare Emeth wants to help you prepare to vote and make informed decisions. Additionally, we aim to keep you updated on issues that you can advocate for, based on our Reform Jewish beliefs.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our committee members: Holly Bernstein, Wendy Flusser, or Ashley and Ann Loiterstein.

February 17, 2026

The Voting Rights Committee needs YOU to contact your US Senators TODAY to oppose the SAVE Act!

Congress introduced the extreme anti-voter Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22/S.128) and declared it among their top priorities. This bill would hinder millions of eligible Americans from registering to vote by requiring citizens to present a birth certificate or passport in person to register.

The SAVE Act requires proof of US Citizenship in order to register to vote or when updating your voter registration. The current iteration of this bill also requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID to vote. This bill passed the US House of Representatives this week and is now headed to the Senate.

As explained by the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Brennan Center, while it seems reasonable to require voters to prove their citizenship and provide photo identification in order to vote, in reality, this law creates barriers to voting that will disenfranchise millions of Americans. Roughly half of American citizens do not have passports. Millions of Americans do not have a copy of their birth certificate, and many people, especially married women, do not have birth certificates that match their current legal name, which then requires presenting additional documents, such as a marriage license. Obtaining all these documents requires time and money that many people do not have.

Huge public outcry against the SAVE Act prevented the bill from advancing in the Senate in 2025, and we need to come together again to protect our right to vote. Call or email your senators today!

Interested in actions you can take to protect voting rights at the state and federal levels? Let us know by emailing Voting Rights Committee co-chair Holly Bernstein at holly.e.bernstein@gmail.com

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.