High Holidays

The High Holidays at Congregation Shaare Emeth

Shanah Tovah u'Metukah:
Wishing You a Happy & Sweet New Year

All are invited to join us in welcoming the New Year with joy!

During this sacred time, we invite you to join us at Congregation Shaare Emeth for worship services and additional special events designed to add meaning to the season. Let us come together to find joy, solace, healing, and hope in the presence of our community. May these High Holidays be a time of renewal and connection, as we draw strength from our shared traditions and the warmth of being together.

All worship services will be available on-site and via livestream.

High Holiday Live Stream

Our beautiful High Holiday artwork was created by Laura Bolter, an artist, illustrator, lettering extraordinaire, and Shaare Emeth member.

2024 ‱ 5785 Schedule

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About the High Holidays

The Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashanah or “head of the year” in Hebrew, is one of the holiest days of the year. Celebrating the first of the month of Tishrei, Rosh Hashanah is symbolized by apples and honey, representing a sweet new year. The Reform movement, and Congregation Shaare Emeth, celebrate Rosh Hashanah for one day, while some other communities celebrate for two days.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, takes place 10 days after Rosh Hashanah. It is a time of confession, fasting, repentance, and prayer where Jews typically participate in tashlich and teshuvah.

Tashlich is the ritual of casting pieces of bread, which symbolize our sins, into a body of water usually containing fish. According to tradition, fish swim with their eyes open at all times, just as we want G-d’s eyes to be watching over us always. By symbolically casting away our sins, we express a desire to cast aside negativity and start anew.

Teshuvah is repentance. This is the process of thinking about our past mistakes that we hope not to repeat in the future. We apologize and ask forgiveness from those whom we have wronged, are asked to forgive those who have wronged us, and ask for forgiveness from G-d.

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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.