Membership – Congregation Shaare Emeth

You Belong: Membership at Shaare Emeth

We are excited about your interest in becoming a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth. Wherever you are in your Jewish journey, we welcome the opportunity to help you find the connections and opportunities you seek. We are committed to helping people of all backgrounds, life stages, and experiences find a way to participate in our community that works for them.

By becoming a member of Shaare Emeth, you will be joining a holy community that seeks to make Judaism relevant, meaningful, and joyful. We come together to support one another and to repair the world. To learn more about our congregation and what it stands for, check out our mission and our commitments.

We encourage you to browse our website to see all our community has to offer, including worship, holiday observances, education for adults and youth, social justice, and more. Check out our comprehensive list of the dozens of offerings at Shaare Emeth and subscribe to ShaareMail, our weekly e-newsletter, to stay up-to-date on the latest programs, events, and other ways to get involved.

Membership includes access to Shaare Emeth’s caring and skilled clergy for those happy and sad milestones throughout life, discounts on special events and youth programs, and Shaare Emeth’s outstanding religious school (which requires membership beginning in second grade).

Membership Responsibility

Membership Responsibility (MR) is a yearly financial commitment each family contributes to sustain day-to-day operations of the temple. It is a collective responsibility that allows Shaare Emeth to remain strong and accessible to all.

Each year, Shaare Emeth’s leadership establishes a “sustaining amount” based on the average expense of running the synagogue per family. While we hope you will contribute the sustaining amount, we understand there is no “one size fits all.” Shaare Emeth’s MR process does not require this set amount, but rather allows each family to choose their own contribution each year. Many families contribute significantly more than the sustaining amount and many families contribute less. We encourage families to choose an amount that is meaningful for them.

Families can choose to pay their MR monthly or in one lump sum. We also offer several payment methods, including ACH/e-check, credit card, personal check, and IRA/stock.

Building Maintenance Assessment

In addition to Membership Responsibility, all members pay a one-time Building Maintenance Assessment. This assessment allows us to keep our campus beautiful and functional by funding major repairs, facility replacements, and unforeseen needs that may occur.

This $1,800 fee can be paid in installments over 5 years ($360 per year for 5 years). The first installment will begin one year after you join. It can be paid monthly or once per year with the same payment methods listed above.

Next Steps

If you have any questions or if you are ready to join, the next step is to speak with a member of our membership team:

Beth Kodner, Director of Development and Membership
Email Beth or call 314-692-5306
Emily Cohen, Director of Family Engagement and Membership
Email Emily or call 314-692-5323

Or you can click below to fill out a brief online form and someone from the membership team will reach out to you.

We look forward to connecting with you!

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ABOUT

Debbie & Mike Lefton

2024 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Debbie and Michael Lefton have been dedicated members of the Shaare Emeth community and the broader St. Louis Jewish community for many years, contributing their time and talents in numerous ways.

Debbie has been a member of Shaare Emeth since the 5th grade, attending Sunday School and confirmation. Debbie and Mike have been married for 27 years and became family members of Shaare Emeth in 1996. Their children Sydney, and Jacob, both attend Shirlee Green Preschool, celebrated their b’not mitzvah, and attended Shaare Emeth Camps. Debbie and Mike have been actively involved in various committees at Shaare Emeth throughout the years; Debbie serving as the President of the Shirlee Green Preschool and Mike serving on the Board of Trustees and the Operating Committee for 12 years including President of our congregation.

Their commitment to education and community service extends beyond Shaare Emeth. They are true examples of community service heroes. In 2019 the Lefton Family received the American Jewish Committee Netzach Award and in 2022, Debbie and Mike were honored with the JProStL Community Leader Partnership Award.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life Services, she worked as a Child Life Specialist at Wyler Children’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for 12 years. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services from Washington University.

At the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Debbie has chaired several committees, including the Children’s Activity Center, the Camp Sabra Alumni Committee, and the Mission Task Force Committee. She has also co-chaired the Jewish Book Festival Women’s Event, the St. Louis Maccabi Games Closing Ceremonies and has served on the J Associates Board for 16 years, completing a term as President in 2022. Currently, Debbie serves as an Officer on the Executive Committee at the JCC and is Co-Chairing the Fox Building Capital Campaign. Debbie received the St. Louis Jewish Community Center Richard S. Weiss Past Presidents Award in 2018.

Debbie’s involvement in the St. Louis Jewish Federation includes serving on the Board of CAJE and Women’s Philanthropy and recently began an 8-year term on the National Jewish Federations Women’s Philanthropy Board. Debbie served on the Camp Rainbow Board of Directors and 28 years. Currently, Debbie is a board member of The St. Louis Jewish Light and The St. Louis Children’s Hospital Friends Board. Debbie received the MAC Women of Distinction honor in 2023.

Michael holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Michael began his career with Metal Exchange in 1984 and now serves as Executive Chairman. Under his leadership, Metal Exchange has grown into a global enterprise with a strong international presence, including offices in Zurich and Shanghai. The company’s diverse operations include manufacturing, marketing, trading, metal processing, distribution, and transportation of nonferrous metals.

Mike’s commitment to community service is evident through his current roles as Board President of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and Regional President of the American Jewish Committee – St. Louis. Mike served as President of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer for seven years and is Immediate Past President. Mike received the Presidential Citation Award from Variety the Children’s Charity international in 2019.

Additionally, Mike currently serves on several boards, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, National Council of Jewish Women Advisory Council, Jewish Federation Professional Society Leadership Advisory Council, and Heat-Up/Cool Down St. Louis.

Debbie and Mike reside in St. Louis and are the proud parents of two adult children, Sydney 26, who lives in Tel Aviv, and Jacob 24, who resides in Cincinnati. The Lefton family are avid hockey fans, enjoy theatre, traveling and spending time in Colorado.

The Shaare Emeth community is honored to celebrate Debbie and Michael Lefton for their unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to our community and beyond.