Purim Event Guide

Purim Carnival Event Guide

Todah Rabah, thank you, to our amazing Purim committee for planning such a wonderful celebration!

Steve Boonshaft, Leslie Masaki, Steve Masaki, Michele Novof, Brian Peck, Hannah Rubin Schlansky, and Debbie Bram, Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Event Schedule & Attractions

9:30 a.m.
Doors open • Wristband sales & pickup begin

10:30 a.m.
Purim in Oz Spiel Spectacular in the Stiffman Sanctuary

11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Emerald City Carnival

Where is Everything?

  • North Lobby

    Glinda's Hospitality Hall: Wristband Sales & Pickup + World Zionist Congress Voting Info

  • B'nai El Chapel

    Flying Monkey Games for Older Kids (2nd–5th Grades) + Dip Your Own Wax Hand!

  • Simcha Center

    Aunt Em's Kitchen: Lunch & Hamantaschen for Purchase (see menu at left or below)
    Wizard's Photo Booth
    Balloon Artists

  • Tree of Life Hallway

    Dorothy's Over the Rainbow Prizes: Every child with a wristband will receive one large prize, one small prize, and a cotton candy!

  • Kehillah Center

    Munchkinland Games for Younger Kids (Ages 3–1st Grade) + Face Painting + Crawl-Thru Inflatable

  • Stiffman Sanctuary

    Purimspiel at 10:30 a.m.

Shaare Your Photos!

Shaare your photos with us! Use the hashtag #sepurim25 and tag @shaareemeth on Facebook or Instagram, or e-mail info@sestl.org, with the great photos you take of yourself and your family at the carnival. We’d love to include your photos in an upcoming ShaareMail or Bulletin!Ā 

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 ā€œshul shoppingā€ 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.