Senior Rabbi
Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz earned a degree in Comparative Literary Studies from Northwestern University, focusing on Hebrew Literature and Culture, a master’s degree in Hebrew letters and rabbinic ordination from HUC-JIR (Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion) in Cincinnati. During her studies, Rabbi Bodney-Halasz spent two years in Jerusalem and served congregations in Kansas City, MO, New Iberia, LA, Joplin, MO, Godfrey, IL, Ft. Wayne, IN, and Pine Bluff, AR.
Rabbi Bodney-Halasz became Temple Israel’s Religious School Director In 2003 while completing her rabbinic studies. She moved to Dayton in 2004 as full-time Educator, eventually becoming Rabbi/Educator and Associate Rabbi/Educator. During her time in Dayton she served as Co-Director of B’Yachad, the JFGD’s community high school program, and taught at Hillel Academy. In 2016, Rabbi Bodney-Halasz became the first female senior rabbi of Temple Israel.
Rabbi Bodney-Halasz’s rabbinate focuses on social justice, compassionate care, engaged learning, inspired worship, and relationship building. She credits her passion for Judaism to summers spent as a camper at Goldman Union Camp Institute and participation in the March of the Living.
Rabbi Bodney-Halasz serves on Montgomery County’s Human Services Levy Council, Public Health’s EveryOne Reach One Maternal and Infant Vitality Task Force and is part of the core leadership team for RAC-OH, a branch of the Reform Action Center of Reform Judaism focused on state level racial and social justice work in Ohio. Previously, Rabbi Bodney-Halasz served on the board for Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton.
In 2019, Rabbi Bodney-Halasz was honored as a Woman of Influence by the YWCA Dayton. In 2020, she was designated a “Power 50” by Dayton Business Journal. In 2021, she was honored as a Woman of Impact by the Better Business Bureau of Dayton. Most recently, she was recognized as a Woman of Valor by the Beth Abraham Sisterhood.
Rabbi Bodney-Halasz is married to Scott Halasz and is the proud mother of Jonah and Ethan.
Would you like to meet with Rabbi Bodney-Halasz? Make an appointment online or call the Temple office – 937.496.0050