Courageous Faith in Tumultuous Times

Harvey & Leanne Schneider Interfaith Forum

Courageous Faith in Tumultuous Times

The Impact of Religious Ideas on Our Common Life

A Weekend with Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva

Friday, April 17–Sunday, April 19

Details

Presented by the Harvey and Leanne Schneider Interfaith Forum in partnership with Grace United Methodist Church and Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Events with Rabbi Mikva

This weekend is an invitation to listen deeply, ask hard questions, and learn across difference while remaining grounded in faith, curiosity, and shared responsibility.

Register For These Events Here

Dangerous Religious Ideas: Shabbat Services & Dinner with Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva

Begin the weekend with Shabbat and a provocative D’var Torah entitled "Dangerous Religious Ideas". Following services, enjoy dinner (by reservation) where Rabbi Dr. Mikva will talk about “The Deep Roots of Self-Critical Faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.”
April 17
5:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Congregation Shaare Emeth
11645 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO 63141
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What Does it Mean to Be Human? with Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva

Begin the morning with a continental breakfast followed by a rich study with Rabbi Dr. Mikva on religious ideas about human goodness and the soul as they shape abortion policy, criminal justice, and the future of democracy.
April 18
9:00 am
Congregation Shaare Emeth
11645 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO 63141
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Interfaith Worship Service & Lunch with Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva

Rabbi Dr. Mikva will speak on "Who is your Neighbor? A Jewish Reading of the Parable of the Good Samaritan." Lunch following the service & teaching: "Minting Courage and Spending it Lavishly as We Explore Religious Ideas About Gender."
April 19
10:30 am
Grace United Methodist Church
6199 Waterman Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
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About Rabbi Dr. Rachel S. Mikva

Rabbi Dr. Rachel S. Mikva serves as the Herman E. Schaalman Professor in Jewish Studies and Senior Faculty Fellow of the InterReligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary. The Institute and the Seminary work at the cutting edge of theological education, training religious leaders who can build bridges across cultural and religious difference for the critical work of social transformation. Ordained in the Reform movement, Rabbi Mikva served as a congregational rabbi for 13 years before returning to the academy. With a passion for justice and academic expertise in the history of scriptural interpretation, her courses and publications address a range of Jewish and comparative studies, with a special interest in the intersections of sacred texts, culture and ethics.

Her most recent books are Dangerous Religious Ideas: The Deep Roots of Self-Critical Faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Beacon, 2020); a textbook for graduate and undergraduate students, Interreligious Studies: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2023); and Monotheism and Pluralism (Cambridge University Press, 2024). Invited to give the 2025 Silber-Obrecht Lectures, she is expanding them into a volume for Georgetown University Press: What Does It Mean to Be Human? Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Perspectives.

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.