High Holiday Details

Additional High Holiday Info

Everyone: Food Drive & Tzedakah đź’µ

High Holiday Food Drive & Tzedakah

During this sacred season of reflection and renewal, we are called to open our hearts — and our hands. As we prepare ourselves spiritually for the new year, we are also reminded of our responsibility to care for those in need.

This year, our High Holy Day Food Drive carries even greater urgency. Food pantries around the country have lost significant money from governmental support and are struggling to meet the needs of our neighbors — people in our own community who rely on this food to nourish their families.

Learn How You Can Help

High Holiday Giving

We hope you will be here for Shaare Emeth and contribute a meaningful gift in honor of this year’s High Holidays to Shaare Emeth’s AV Club. In partnership with the Michael Matlof Connection and Communication Fund, the AV Club supports our ability to live-stream every service, which is vital for accessibility and inclusion.

To make your gift now, please click the link below or contact Beth Kodner at 314-692-5306 if you have any questions. Thank you for your generosity.

Donate to the AV Club

High Holiday Childcare Available

Congregation Shaare Emeth is pleased to be able to offer childcare during Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur morning services. For more information, contact Brandi by e-mail or call 314-692-5321.

  • Who: Children ages 6 months – 7 years
  • When: Tuesday, September 23, and Thursday, October 2, from 9:30–12:30 p.m.
  • Where: Drop-off and pick-up in the preschool hallway
  • Cost: $5 per child per holiday
  • Registration: Advance registration is required. Space is very limited, so register early! 
Register Now

Parking Locations & Shuttle

In the event our lot fills, overflow parking and shuttles are provided. Plan to arrive early to allow time to park or relocate to overflow parking and take the shuttle.

Overflow Parking Locations:
Elks Lodge #9, 12481 Ladue Road
Scott Properties Medical Offices, 456 and 522 N. New Ballas Road

  • Erev Rosh Hashanah, September 22, from 6:30 p.m. – Scott Properties Medical Offices
  • Rosh Hashanah, September 23, from 8:30 a.m. – Elks Lodge #9
  • Erev Yom Kippur, October 1, from 6:30 p.m. – Scott Properties Medical Offices
  • Yom Kippur, October 2, from 8 a.m. – Elks Lodge #9

Accessibility

Your ability to access our facility and enjoy services to the fullest extent possible is extremely important to us. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience beyond the measures outlined below, please let us know by calling the temple office at 314-569-0010, by e-mailing us, or by approaching a staff or board member wearing a silver nametag.

In addition to our facility being ADA-accessible, hearing assistive devices, large-print prayerbooks, wheelchairs, and walkers are available upon request from the South Lobby reception desk. American Sign Language interpretation is provided for High Holiday services in the Stiffman Sanctuary.

Living Our Values: Welcoming All

At Congregation Shaare Emeth, we are so pleased to invite you to join with us to usher in the year 5785. It is our tradition to extend the warmest possible “Welcome!” as we open our doors to all who wish to join us during the High Holidays and throughout the year. All members of the Congregation and all guests and visitors are welcome to join us for our services; no tickets are necessary.

Prayerbook Pick-Up

The beloved Mishkan Hanefesh Machzor two-volume set will again be our prayerbook companion for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. If you are planning to attend services by live-streaming, you may borrow prayerbooks to use at home. Get your set(s) at one of the pick-up times listed below. They are due back before Monday, October 13.

At pick-up, you will be asked for your credit card number and, if your books are not returned by Monday, October 13, you will be charged $50. No credit cards will be processed before October 14.

Pick-up Dates & Times in the North Lobby

  • Sunday, September 14 • 9 a.m.–Noon
  • Tuesday, September 16 • 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–7 p.m.
  • Friday, September 19 • 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Monday, September 22 • 9 a.m.–Noon

Live Streaming

Congregation Shaare Emeth is proud to offer online viewing options for all of our High Holiday services again this year.

The only link you need is sestl.co/stream. Bookmark it for easy access, even year-to-year!

If at any time you’re experiencing difficulties accessing the livestream:

ALL HIGH HOLIDAY LIVE STREAMS

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.