3rd-5th Grade, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Shaare Emeth Religious School’s 3rd-5th Grade Program

Bringing Judaism to Life in 3-D

Starting in 3rd grade, we move in a new direction that grows as our students mature and evolve.

One of our guiding principles is to be flexible and to meet students where they are as often as possible. We know that our lives are busy and that we share the same goal: to prepare our children to lead well-rounded lives as people and as Jews. We want their religious education to be deep and meaningful in content, as well as a realistic, thoughtful commitment of your time and energy.

Our 3rd-5th Grade Program provides multiple choices and options for each family. You have the opportunity to choose the one that makes the most sense for you!

To meet our educational goals, our standard expectation for all 3rd-5th Graders is that they meet twice a week, with a focus on community building time, deep study of Hebrew prayer, and the opportunity to explore a variety of Jewish content themes through interactive, rich learning experiences. You can attend our flagship Sunday & Midweek Program, choosing either Tuesday or Wednesday for your Midweek day for all 3^rd-5^th Graders.
Our 4^th and 5^th Graders are also invited, as needed, to participate in a Sunday-only option, where our students attend class from 9-11 a.m. and continue through the afternoon until 12:30 p.m. for their second round of Hebrew and Judaics.
We invite you to consider your options now as you plan for the next school year. Discuss them with your child, think about your other activities and commitments, and explore the possibilities. We recommend that you choose the track that maximizes the possibility of your child(ren) attending on-site as often as possible. This will allow them to get the most out of their learning and build their comfort and confidence.

What Happens in 3rd-5th Grade?

On Sunday mornings, learners attend every week as they begin a deeper study of Hebrew centered on the prayers of our prayerbook. Learners work in small groups to work together on Hebrew decoding skills and become familiar with the core prayers of our worship services. We also explore what these prayers mean and how we can find our own connections to prayer, which is in some ways even more crucial!

Each grade level also focuses on a curricular theme for the year that helps them explore new Jewish ideas and stories, including Israel, global Jewish history, biblical texts, and the holidays. Families are invited to join us throughout the year to learn alongside their children and participate in programs together.

During our Midweek/Extended Day Sunday sessions, we draw on the most exciting elements of contemporary Jewish educational experiences to integrate even more rich content and reinforce what they are learning on Sunday mornings.

Our students learn Hebrew in smaller groups based on their needs and abilities.
Learners participate in a t’filah prayer experience with our clergy and songleaders.
MIDWEEK ONLY – Our Judaics curriculum is taught through immersive experiences based on different Jewish themes in different modalities including art, music, cooking, play, and more! Our elective model encourages students to choose their own adventure.

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Questions?

Schedules

Sunday Schedule

Sundays • 9–11 a.m.

Sunday Extended Day Schedule

Sundays • 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Midweek Schedule

Tuesdays or Wednesdays
4:15–6 p.m.

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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.