What We Do, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Our Commitments

Our seven commitments serve as a roadmap to achieving our mission. Everything Shaare Emeth does is guided by one or more of these responsibilities:

Living in Community

We strive to be a diverse and welcoming Congregation, and we accept the responsibility of celebrating with and caring for one another in times of joy and need.

Lifelong Jewish Learning

From preschool through adulthood, we bring alive the tenets, values, texts and traditions of Judaism.

Acting as Agents of Social Justice and Change

Through advocacy and volunteerism, we work together to fulfill the Jewish mandate of Tikkun Olam, repairing our world, by alleviating poverty and hunger, fighting injustice, caring for human beings in times of need, protecting the environment and bringing peace.

Living with an Awareness of the Sacred in our Lives

We honor the holiness that surrounds us at every moment of our lives, through meaningful rituals and ceremonies, moments of worship and prayer, and joyful Shabbat and Jewish holiday celebrations.

The Land and People of Israel

We recognize and value our place as a part of K’lal Yisrael, the People of Israel, and our connection to Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel, both historical and modern. We work to support and advocate for the Jewish people wherever they may be, and in particular, for the State of Israel.

Acknowledging our Community

We recognize that we are citizens of a larger religious and secular community, and we accept and embrace our communal and civic responsibility through our words and deeds.

Managing our Resources

We recognize our need to provide, utilize and carefully manage the resources necessary to fulfill each of the other commitments of our Mission, while taking the measured financial risks necessary for our future.

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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.