Purim

Celebrate Purim at Shaare Emeth

Purim: A Very Wicked Spiel

A Pre-Show Party + Megillah Reading + Adult* Spiel

Erev Purim: Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Shaare Emeth

6:30 p.m. Sweets and elixirs
7:15 p.m. Theater doors open
7:30 p.m. Showtime!

You wanna be in this hoi polloi on Erev Purim for the most swankified spiel in town! Witness the scandalacious, thrillifying tale of Estherba (Estie, for short, played by Lucy Greenbaum), her bestie, Galindachai (Sami Seigel), The Wizard of Shushan (Ryan Cooper), and the Wicked Haman (Gene Jacobson).

Your presence is requested before the show so we may rejoicify together with abundant libations and nourishments. Come in costume!

No RSVP is required.

*This show is appropriate for all ages, but please note that alcohol will be served during the pre-party.

Purim in Oz: Emerald City Spectacular Spiel & Carnival

A Family-Oriented Purimspiel, Carnival, & Lunch
Sunday, March 9 at Shaare Emeth

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

Bring all your munchkins and follow the yellow brick road to our Ozian Purimspiel for families with children ages 0-12. We’ll re-tell the story of Purim with your favorite characters and reimagined songs from Wicked and The Wizard of Oz.

11 a.m.–1 p.m. Emerald City Carnival

Then Shaare Emeth will turn into Oz’s Emerald City with fun and food for all ages, including carnival games, inflatables, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, prizes, and more. The amazing Purim Committee will once again be serving up a delicious lunch for purchase.

Costumes are highly encouraged!

What to Expect at the Carnival

Toto’s Quiet Zone: The Rubin Library Conference Room offers a Sensory Break Room, featuring calming kits and additional resources provided by The Synapsory.

Kehillah Center: Enjoy games and a crawl-through activity for preschoolers through 2nd grade.

Bnai El Chapel: Games for 2nd – 5th graders, featuring the return of the popular “Make Your Own Wax Hands” station.

Two balloon artists will be joining us this year for added fun!

Purim Food will be served in the Simcha Center, generously provided by the Purim Food Committee.

Carnival Wristbands

Skip the lines after the Purim Spiel on Sunday by purchasing your wristbands in advance. Order now for will-call pickup or wristband sales will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 9.

  • Wristbands are required for children ages 3–5th grade.
  • Wristbands allow for unlimited game play and each child receives a large prize, a small prize, and, new this year, a cotton candy!
  • $15 for Shaare Emeth members.
  • $20 for non-members.
  • Advance purchase is recommended!

Questions? Please call the Temple office at 314-569-0010 or email Debbie Bram, Director of Jewish Life and Learning.

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.