Karen Benioff Friedman

Karen Benioff Friedman was born into a secular Jewish New England family. An adventurous Grand Canyon back-country hike introduced her to our American deserts in general, and her future husband in particular. In 1989 she moved from Boston to Berkeley, married, and created a life as wife, mother and artist.

In 1983-84 Karen spent a gap year in Jerusalem, an experience which deepened her familial connections to Israel and awakened a vibrant practice of Judaism that inspires her to this day. After moving to Berkeley, she joined a group of printmakers at a local artist’s studio and since Covid has been an Artist in Residence at Kala in Berkeley. In 2012 Karen entered Golden Gate Atelier in Oakland in order to study drawing, oil painting and anatomy, and to fully immerse herself into figurative art.

In the late 1990s a Chevra Kadisha was established within her synagogue, and when a close friend was dying she asked Karen to participate in her taharah. The experience was extraordinary, and Karen continues this work today.

The Chevra Kadisha supports mourners, assists with funeral arrangements and prepares bodies for Jewish funeral according to ancient rituals and liturgies (taharah). The work of the Chevra Kadisha is considered sacred because it is a true gift which cannot be repaid by those who receive it. It also serves to strengthen the community, bringing people together when they are most vulnerable.

Karen has been a leader of Berkeley's Congregation Netivot Shalom Chevra Kadisha and has performed taharah for over 20 years, for both her congregation and others in the East Bay. She draws artistic inspiration from her work, elucidating the practices of the Chevra and educating other congregations who are building their own Chevra Kadishas.

Berkeley