Who We Are

Our Mission

Congregation Shaare Emeth is a compassionate, respectful, and inclusive community that makes Judaism relevant, meaningful, and joyful.

Our Values

Recognize the congregation’s mission, commitments, and values.
Treat every congregant, staff member, clergy, and guest with respect, dignity, and civility through all types of communication.
Remain open to all viewpoints.
Honor the identities, diversity, and abilities of all.
Promote an emotionally and physically safe environment for everyone.
Welcome all to participate in our traditions.

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

As we strive to achieve our mission on a daily basis, we employ seven commitments to guide our work:

Our Community

At Congregation Shaare Emeth, members and guests of all ages feel a strong sense of community; are intellectually and spiritually engaged; are committed to the values of tzedakah (justice) and acts of gemilut chasadim (acts of compassion and kindness). Together we are building a strong foundation for the future.

At Congregation Shaare Emeth we believe that all people are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. Each individual member and family add something unique to our sacred community, and we welcome all members and guests to join us in our worship and learning experiences. If you would like to learn more about becoming a member or making a visit, please call 314-569-0010.

Interfaith Families and Diverse Faith Backgrounds

Congregation Shaare Emeth has a proud history of welcoming interfaith families and those seeking to learn more about Judaism into our community. We offer special outreach for those who are beginning to explore the Jewish faith, and we celebrate our interfaith families as full members of our community.

LGBTQ+

Congregation Shaare Emeth welcomes all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, as full participants in Temple life. We are excited to celebrate all milestones and lifecycle moments, including marriage, baby namings and more, with members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning. Keshet (Hebrew for rainbow) is our LGBTQ+ Outreach and Support group and is open to all.

Racial and Ethnic Backgrounds

Congregation Shaare Emeth is proud to welcome individuals and families of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, including those whose family origins are originally in African, Asian or Latin-American countries. Our REDI at Shaare Emeth Committee (Racial, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee) provides social, educational and advocacy opportunities for members and guests to connect and learn from one another.

Accessibility

Our worship spaces are equipped with hearing enhancement devices and large print prayer books upon request. We provide sign language interpreters for our High Holy Day services, as well as other special events. Our building, including the bimas (pulpits) are wheelchair accessible. Shabbat services are available via live stream for all and are live-captioned. Our Religious School and Shirlee Green Preschool offer support for students of varying needs and abilities.

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ABOUT

Debbie & Mike Lefton

2024 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Debbie and Michael Lefton have been dedicated members of the Shaare Emeth community and the broader St. Louis Jewish community for many years, contributing their time and talents in numerous ways.

Debbie has been a member of Shaare Emeth since the 5th grade, attending Sunday School and confirmation. Debbie and Mike have been married for 27 years and became family members of Shaare Emeth in 1996. Their children Sydney, and Jacob, both attend Shirlee Green Preschool, celebrated their b’not mitzvah, and attended Shaare Emeth Camps. Debbie and Mike have been actively involved in various committees at Shaare Emeth throughout the years; Debbie serving as the President of the Shirlee Green Preschool and Mike serving on the Board of Trustees and the Operating Committee for 12 years including President of our congregation.

Their commitment to education and community service extends beyond Shaare Emeth. They are true examples of community service heroes. In 2019 the Lefton Family received the American Jewish Committee Netzach Award and in 2022, Debbie and Mike were honored with the JProStL Community Leader Partnership Award.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life Services, she worked as a Child Life Specialist at Wyler Children’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for 12 years. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services from Washington University.

At the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Debbie has chaired several committees, including the Children’s Activity Center, the Camp Sabra Alumni Committee, and the Mission Task Force Committee. She has also co-chaired the Jewish Book Festival Women’s Event, the St. Louis Maccabi Games Closing Ceremonies and has served on the J Associates Board for 16 years, completing a term as President in 2022. Currently, Debbie serves as an Officer on the Executive Committee at the JCC and is Co-Chairing the Fox Building Capital Campaign. Debbie received the St. Louis Jewish Community Center Richard S. Weiss Past Presidents Award in 2018.

Debbie’s involvement in the St. Louis Jewish Federation includes serving on the Board of CAJE and Women’s Philanthropy and recently began an 8-year term on the National Jewish Federations Women’s Philanthropy Board. Debbie served on the Camp Rainbow Board of Directors and 28 years. Currently, Debbie is a board member of The St. Louis Jewish Light and The St. Louis Children’s Hospital Friends Board. Debbie received the MAC Women of Distinction honor in 2023.

Michael holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Michael began his career with Metal Exchange in 1984 and now serves as Executive Chairman. Under his leadership, Metal Exchange has grown into a global enterprise with a strong international presence, including offices in Zurich and Shanghai. The company’s diverse operations include manufacturing, marketing, trading, metal processing, distribution, and transportation of nonferrous metals.

Mike’s commitment to community service is evident through his current roles as Board President of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and Regional President of the American Jewish Committee – St. Louis. Mike served as President of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer for seven years and is Immediate Past President. Mike received the Presidential Citation Award from Variety the Children’s Charity international in 2019.

Additionally, Mike currently serves on several boards, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, National Council of Jewish Women Advisory Council, Jewish Federation Professional Society Leadership Advisory Council, and Heat-Up/Cool Down St. Louis.

Debbie and Mike reside in St. Louis and are the proud parents of two adult children, Sydney 26, who lives in Tel Aviv, and Jacob 24, who resides in Cincinnati. The Lefton family are avid hockey fans, enjoy theatre, traveling and spending time in Colorado.

The Shaare Emeth community is honored to celebrate Debbie and Michael Lefton for their unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to our community and beyond.