Senate Resolution No. 1196
BY: Senator HARCKHAM
CONGRATULATING Rabbi Dana Bogatz upon the occasion
of her retirement after years of dedicated service
to First Hebrew Congregation in Peekskill, New York
WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the
faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and
preeminence of service; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Rabbi Dana Bogatz upon the occasion of her retirement as
Rabbi of First Hebrew Congregation in Peekskill, New York, after years
of dedicated service to her congregation and community; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Dana Bogatz is a second-career rabbi whose path to
spiritual leadership began after earning a degree in agricultural
economics and rural sociology and working in the floral import/export
industry; at the age of 30, she entered rabbinical seminary and
ultimately earned her ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary in
New York City, where she was recognized with the prestigious award for
Practical Theology; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of two decades as both rabbi and chaplain,
Rabbi Dana Bogatz has served her communities with compassion and
commitment; she completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at
Bridgeport Hospital, where she also served as chaplain and founded
Connecticut's first Death Cafe, providing a forum for open and
meaningful conversations about life and mortality; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Dana Bogatz brought her broad life experience,
including her work at a women's education and career development center,
into her rabbinical service, applying social work skills and a deep
understanding of community building to her role as a spiritual leader;
and
WHEREAS, In her tenure as the first woman rabbi in the 120-year
history of First Hebrew Congregation in Peekskill, Rabbi Dana Bogatz has
guided her Conservative congregation through significant changes while
maintaining reverence for tradition; and
WHEREAS, Among her many meaningful contributions, Rabbi Dana Bogatz
helped modernize congregational practices in ways that foster
inclusivity and community engagement, such as revising longstanding
kosher food policies to allow broader participation in potluck meals and
events; under the new guidelines developed during her leadership, food
prepared in non-kosher home kitchens may now be shared outside the
synagogue's kitchen using paper goods, making communal gatherings more
accessible and welcoming; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Dana Bogatz has exemplified the highest ideals of
spiritual leadership, compassion, and community service, and her legacy
will continue to inspire those she has guided, taught, and served; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Rabbi Dana Bogatz upon the occasion of her well-deserved
retirement, and to commend her for her dedicated service, compassionate
leadership, and lasting contributions to her congregation and the
broader community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rabbi Dana Bogatz.
