Home Events & Programs Israel: The Reality

Israel: The Reality

Present: Dr. Ayala Hendin and special guest Professor Mona Khoury will unpack DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies in Israeli higher education throughout the Democracy Crisis and the war.


The Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948 by David Ben-Gurion. Using the Israeli Declaration of Independence as a guide, we will explore the hope, successes, and challenges facing Israel to implement the document, which states:

ā€œThe State of Israel will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace… it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to allĀ its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.ā€

This three-part series will be taught by Dr. Ayala Hendin, Israel Fellow at Washington University, and special guest Professor Mona Khoury, the first Arab Vice President of Diversity and Strategy at Hebrew University.

Click Here to RSVP

The event is finished.

Date

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Expired!

More Info

RSVP Now

Location

Congregation Shaare Emeth
11645 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO 63141

Speakers

  • Dr. Ayala Hendin
    Dr. Ayala Hendin
    Israel Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis

    Dr. Ayala Hendin is an Israel fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, teaching Israeli politics, policy, and society, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies; higher education policy; and activism in Israel. She was the founding director of ā€œIsraeli Hope in Academia,ā€ a flagship national program of Israel’s 10th President, Reuven Rivlin. She completed her PhD at Ben-Gurion University and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Minerva Center for Human Rights at Hebrew University, and is passionate about connecting research, policy, and practice.

  • Mona Khoury
    Mona Khoury
    Vice President for Strategy and Diversity at Hebrew University

    Mona Khoury is a professor and the Vice President for Strategy and Diversity at Hebrew University. Prof. Khoury is the previous Dean of the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is an alumna of the Israel Young Academy and of the Global Young Academy.

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 ā€œshul shoppingā€ 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.