Selichot

Selichot at Congregation Shaare Emeth

Selichot: Stories of Forgiveness & Reflection

Program at 7 p.m. • Reception at 8:30 p.m. • Selichot Service at 9 p.m.

As we prepare our hearts for the High Holidays, join us for a moving and thought-provoking Selichot program that invites us to reflect on the meaning—and challenge—of forgiveness.

The Art of Forgiveness by The Braid

Presented live on Zoom, followed by a facilitated discussion with the clergy and directors of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Is there an art to forgiveness? These stories reveal the secrets to forgiving…but do we ever forget? Find out in this moving and thought-provoking show that deals with sibling rivalry, challenging parents, ex-husbands, a Holocaust survivor’s forgiveness, and one woman’s ability to forgive herself. All this and more, will make you laugh and make you cry.

Perfect for the High Holy Days, this live on Zoom performance is presented by The Braid – the Go-To Jewish Story Company, where professional actors perform true stories “braided” around a theme.

Following the performance, clergy and directors from Congregation Shaare Emeth will guide a thoughtful conversation as we begin the sacred journey of teshuvah—return, repentance, and renewal.

We’ll continue with a dessert reception, and conclude with a spiritual, introspective service which ends in quiet candlelight.

RSVP

For those unable to attend on-site, the service portion of the evening will be available to livestream beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 13.

ABOUT

Leanne & Harvey Schneider

2026 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Harvey and Leanne Schneider have devoted their lives to strengthening both the Jewish and broader St. Louis communities through leadership, service, education, and a deep commitment to bringing people together.

A St. Louis native, Harvey Schneider attended local public schools before earning both his undergraduate business degree and law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Following graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. After five years of federal service, he returned to St. Louis and became a partner in private law practice. Over a legal career spanning more than five decades, Harvey represented family-owned businesses and private individuals in a wide range of business matters.

Harvey’s commitment to civic and Jewish communal life has been equally extensive. He has served as President of Congregation Shaare Emeth, the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, the Central Agency for Jewish Education, the Little Symphony Concerts Association, and the Forever Young Club at the Missouri Athletic Club. In addition, he dedicated 26 years to public service on the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Town and Country, including three years as chairman.

After graduating from Washington University, Leanne Schneider spent a year studying in France. Upon her return to St. Louis, she became deeply involved in international student exchange programs, first with the Experiment in International Living and later with AFS, fostering cross-cultural understanding and lifelong connections among people of different backgrounds. This commitment to building bridges naturally extended to her involvement with the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis.

Leanne also taught French and Spanish at Brittany Junior High School before she and Harvey started their family. Throughout the years, she has shared her passion for education and community service by tutoring New Americans through the English Language School, serving on Congregation Shaare Emeth’s first Caring Committee, and volunteering as a reader with Ready Readers. Today, she continues to nurture her love of learning and literature through a book club that includes many members of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Together, Harvey and Leanne have exemplified a lifetime of generosity, service, and leadership. Their dedication to education, interfaith understanding, civic engagement, and Jewish communal life has enriched countless lives throughout St. Louis. They are the proud parents of three children and grandparents of four, and their enduring legacy continues to inspire future generations.