Who We Are

Our Mission

At Congregation Shaare Emeth, we come together to strengthen relationships, connect with Jewish tradition, deepen spiritual engagement, and act to repair our world.

Our Vision

Congregation Shaare Emeth is a vibrant, inclusive center of Jewish life where every person can find a sense of belonging, meaning, joy, and hope.

We Are Guided by These Values:

  • Kehillah / Community We are a vibrant, multigenerational community where relationships flourish and every person is valued. We honor the Divine in each individual, and welcome all who seek connection and a home in Jewish life.
  • Torah / Lifelong Learning At all ages and stages of life, we engage deeply with Jewish wisdom, allowing timeless teachings to guide and impact our lives today.
  • Avodah / Sacred Service Through prayer, ritual, and holiday and life cycle celebrations, we seek and create moments of holiness in our lives and in the life of our community.
  • Tikkun Olam / Repairing the World We act with compassion and moral courage to stand for justice, pursue peace, and heal our world.
  • Hineni / Presence and Responsibility We choose to be present, offering our time, resources, and care to one another, to our St. Louis community, to the Jewish people here and in Israel, and to those who struggle around the world.

The community of Congregation Shaare Emeth expects every congregant, staff member, clergy, and guest to behave in accordance with our values.

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.