Yom Kippur Resources

Many of our Yom Kippur programs this year had important take-aways – too much to fit into Shaare Mail! Below you’ll find resources, links, printables, etc. related to each sermon or program.

Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service

Become a Chesed/Caring Angel

Rabbi Goldstein spoke on Kol Nidre about how one act of kindness is so powerful for both the receiver and the giver of the act. It is through these acts that we create a Kehillah Kedoshah (a holy community). Many, many congregants already signed up – we thank you!

For more information about the opportunities available and to sign up, click here.

For questions, email Debbie Bram.

Yom Kippur Morning Service

Supporting Democracy in Israel

On Yom Kippur morning, Rabbi Bennett spoke about the importance of Reform Jews’s support of organizations that further the fight for Democracy in Israel. We encourage you to consider making contributions to the following organizations:

The IMPJ, Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, and the IRAC, Israel Religious Action Center, have joined together for a special emergency campaign addressing the current fight for Democracy in Israel. A contribution to this joint fund will continue support for Reform and progressive congregations, maintain pluralistic education in Israel, expand the legal work of IRAC, and continue to work to support refugees, women, and LGBTQ rights. Click here to donate

You can also contribute directly to the IMPJ, which is guided by the values of Reform Judaism and works to make progressive and pluralistic Judaism accessible to all Israelis, or contribute directly to The IRAC, which is dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of a just Israeli society.

For those of you who like to support NGOs, we recommend The New Israel Fund (NIF) which helps Israel live up to its founder’s vision of a society that ensures complete equality to all its inhabitants. NIF advances liberal democracy, including freedom of speech, and minority rights, and fights the inequality, injustice, and extremism that diminish Israel. Click here to donate

Yom Kippur Afternoon Programs

Paul Simon’s Psalms With Ron Cytron & Cantor Seth Warner

Thanks to the great group that joined Cantor Warner and Ron Cytron on-site and online for this program. In case you missed it, here’s the link to Ron’s incredible slides.

You can view a recording of the program.

We would love to see you on Tuesday, October 10 at 7 p.m. for our follow-up program: Exploring Your Own Psalm. Click here for details and registration

The Shofar Calls Us to Action With Rabbi Andrea Goldstein & Debbie Bram

We hope everyone who joined us for this program left inspired and motivated to fight food insecurity in our community.

Click here for the various texts we read and discussed

Click here for the Translated Agency List

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.