Reflections on Jewish Argentina

Texting Tuesdays with Cantor Warner From February 15-24, Cantor Warner and other cantors from the American Conference of Cantors led a musical Jewish heritage journey to Argentina. For this special Texting Tuesdays session, he’ll share highlights and insights from his trip. Click Here to RSVP

Jewish Models of Leadership

Texting Tuesdays with Rabbi Bearman From Moses to Queen Esther to RBG to Michael Twitty (a Jewish, Black, Southern, and gay chef and writer), we have thousands of models of what it means to be a Jewish leader. Join Rabbi Bearman and meet both well-known and unfamiliar Jewish leaders from our people’s history and present. […]

Texting Tuesdays: A Taste of Israeli Literature

With Marcia Moskowitz February 18 & 25 Israeli literature past and present is a lens into the culture of the society. Works by A.B. Yehoshua, Amos Oz, David Grossman, Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, and poetry since October 7 will be highlighted in the class. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.

Texting Tuesdays: The Season of Love

Celebrating Jewish Love Stories with Rabbi Rachel Bearman Tuesday, February 11 Valentine’s Day may have been named after a saint, but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace the season of love by celebrating some of the most inspiring Jewish love stories. We’ll dive deep into biblical romances between Isaac and Rebecca, David and Jonathan, and […]

Texting Tuesdays: Cooking for Tu B’Shevat

Tuesday, February 4 Lorry Blath is a Shaare Emeth member and the owner and chef of ‘Lorry’s Fine Foods to Go.’ Lorry will share a delicious recipe with us related to fruits that grow on trees. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.

Texting Tuesdays: The Arc of the Moral Universe

A Look at the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 21 & 28 Join Rabbi Goldstein as we compare the sermons and essays of two of the 20th century’s greatest moral leaders, uncovering teachings to inspire us in our own ethical and moral strivings. RSVP at […]

Fact-Checking the Story of Chanukah: Part 2

Texting Tuesdays with Rabbi Jim Bennett • The ancient and beloved story of Chanukah celebrates the second-century CE Jewish warriors known as the Maccabees. According to legend, the Maccabees rejected assimilation and defeated the Assyrian army, rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, rekindled the menorah, and then, a great miracle happened there – The oil lasted […]

Fact-Checking the Story of Chanukah: Part 1

Texting Tuesdays with Rabbi Jim Bennett • The ancient and beloved story of Chanukah celebrates the second-century CE Jewish warriors known as the Maccabees. According to legend, the Maccabees rejected assimilation and defeated the Assyrian army, rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, rekindled the menorah, and then, a great miracle happened there – The oil lasted […]

Everyday Wisdom: Lessons from Proverbs and Pirkei Avot

Texting Tuesdays with Rabbi Lori Levine • Jewish wisdom literature has existed for thousands of years, but so many of the texts feel as if they could have been written yesterday. From advice on business ethics and self-care to how we treat each other and how to parent, these texts are supposed to show us […]

We Were Strangers in a Strange Land

Texting Tuesdays: Join Rabbi Bearman to explore the historical records of Jewish immigrants in America and learn how Jews were welcomed (or not) to this continent. We’ll study the three main waves of Jewish immigration, the settlement patterns of these new arrivals, and the ways different groups of Jewish immigrants interacted with one another. Register […]

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.