Youth Groups, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Youth Programming at Shaare Emeth

Shaare Emeth’s youth programming provides our youth with opportunities to engage in Jewish life at Shaare Emeth and in the broader Jewish community. Our program combines community building and Jewish experiences that deepen kids’ and teens’ connections to Jewish tradition and to one another. Social events, social action, learning, and Jewish observance provide our youth with a range of different ways to connect with Jewish life on their terms surrounded by a caring community of their peers.

SETYG

SETYG (Shaare Emeth Temple Youth Group) is Shaare Emeth’s youth group for high school students. Run by an elected board of teens, SETYG hosts exciting and engaging programming created by and for teens. SETYG also serves as Shaare Emeth’s connection to Jewish teens from across the country through NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth), which is the national Reform Jewish youth movement. SETYG is a part of the NFTY-Missouri Valley Region, through which our teens convene through the year for Chavurot (weekend long gatherings of the region) which provide our teens with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, explore their Jewish identity, and connect with teens from across the Midwest.

SE678

SE678 is Shaare Emeth’s youth group for 6th, 7th, & 8th graders. With events like snow tubing at Hidden Valley, private tours of Busch Stadium, and many more, our middle schoolers are able to strengthen social bonds with their peers while engaging in fun programs exclusively for them! This group meets on a monthly basis.

SE345

SE345 is Shaare Emeth’s youth program for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders. SE345 hosts community-building events, with trips to the Zoo, the Science Center, ice skating at Steinberg Ice Rink in Forest Park, and much more. This group meets on a monthly basis.

Shir Emeth

Shir Emeth (meaning Song of Truth) is Shaare Emeth’s youth choir for 3rd-7th graders. All are welcome, regardless of musical ability, experience, or membership. This group rehearses approximately twice a month, and performs a number of times per year, including at Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, Busch Stadium, retirement communities, and more!

Click here for additional information about Shir Emeth

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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.