20s and 30s

Young Adults at Shaare Emeth

Welcome to Congregation Shaare Emeth’s 20s and 30s community. Whether you’re Jewish, Jewish-Adjacent, or Jew-Curious… we’re excited to see you here!

We believe that Judaism isn’t something anyone can do by themselves and that an important part of being a Jewish adult is finding your tribe.

And… we’ll put our cards on the table…we hope that we’re the tribe you’re looking for.

Together, we’re building a community where we celebrate one another’s simchas (happy events), support each other when we’re feeling down, and stand together when things are rough.

Check out the 20s and 30s FAQs below and the list of upcoming experiences to learn more about our community! If you have any questions or just want to connect, please reach out to Rabbi Bearman at rbearman@sestl.org.

Upcoming 20s & 30s Events:

Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Wednesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. in the Courtyard at Congregation Shaare Emeth

All 20s and 30s are invited to join us for this informal, Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner where we’ll get to know one another and welcome the holiday as a community.

Our meal will be catered by Pasta House and is $25 per person. Reservations are required by September 16.

MAKE A RESERVATION

20s & 30s FAQs

We’d love it if you joined Shaare Emeth (the temple is pretty fantastic)… but you don’t need to be a temple member to be a part of our 20s and 30s community.

Shaare Emeth honors everyone’s unique journey. That means that we’re a place for single people, partnered folks, parents of kids of all ages, parents of spoiled pets… everyone. If you’re interested in exploring Judaism and what it means to belong to a Jewish community, then now is the right time to get involved.

Absolutely. Full stop.

Shaare Emeth’s values are clear- we strive to be a safe, affirming, and celebratory space for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

The Jew-curious are very welcome to any and all programs. Come see what it feels like to be a member of the Jewish community (spoiler alert – it’s pretty great) and let Rabbi Bearman know if you have any questions!

Actually, we’re the kind of community where all kinds of moments (promotions, achieving personal bests, new loves, new pets, breakups, medical procedures, baby’s first steps, and more) are honored with creative, meaningful, and spiritual experiences.

Hebrew tests will only be given after you’ve attended 2 Shaare Emeth programs. Just kidding! We want to learn and explore together. No prior knowledge is necessary for any 20s and 30s experience.

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.