Rabbi
Karen Kriger Bogard
Bio
Rabbi Karen Kriger Bogard grew up in Memphis, TN, as part of a proud southern Jewish family. She graduated from Newcomb College at Tulane University with a double degree in Jewish Studies and Religious Studies, and continued her learning at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion as a rabbinical student. It was at rabbinical school that Karen met her husband, Daniel Bogard, and after ordination at the Cincinnati campus they began sharing a pulpit at Anshai Emeth in Peoria, IL. In addition to her pulpit responsibilities, Karen spent much time working as the Judaics Director of Peoria Hebrew Day School and creating new and exciting programs for the congregation. Karen and Daniel love working together; it provides them with a life/work balance, and gives them time to spend with their three young children: Gavi, Ezra, and Noa.
After 5 amazing years in Peoria, Karen and Daniel continued their co-rabbi model at Adath Israel in Cincinnati, OH, for two years.
Karen is so excited to now be serving Central Reform Congregations and living in St. Louis. She loves the way CRC feels like an extended family, and is very much looking forward to being part of CRC's present and future.
Karen is also honored to have been a Brickner fellow with the Religious Action Center, a part of the Shalom Hartman Women's Rabbinic Cohort, and along with CRC a recipient of the Jonas Weil Endowment Interfaith Inclusion Grants which will fund new and exciting programming for multifaith families at CRC.
She currently has a fellowship with 18 Doors focusing on multifaith work with couples and families in the St. Louis area.
Programs & Focus
Rabbi Karen believes that Judaism should be accessible to anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of it - whether that's Jewish, Jewish, or Jew-ish.
CRC Holiday Celebration
All holidays are important with their own traditions and meanings, and Rabbi Karen enjoys bringing these holidays to the community through fun and creative programming. Even though her favorite holiday is Sukkot, she works hard to make sure that your favorite holiday is everything you want it to be!
Multifaith Programming for Couples and Families
We value all of the diverse households that make up our CRC family, and Karen has taken the lead on creating programs for multifaith families. Helping multifaith couples and families find a common voice is a goal that is very close to Karen's heart.
Membership
A growing and diverse community is tantamount to CRC's mission statement, and Rabbi Karen has been focused on streamlining the membership process as well as both outreach and inreach programming to help CRC maintain and continue growing our active and loving community.