About me
Rabbi Sandra Lawson (she/her/hers) is a nationally recognized leader, visionary strategist, and community builder working at the intersection of Judaism, justice, and community transformation. As the Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice (CJJ), she brings her passion for equity, her commitment to grassroots organizing, and her visionary leadership to Jewish communities across North Carolina.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, sociologist, and rabbi, Sandra has spent her career lifting up marginalized voices, building bridges across differences, and helping communities live out their deepest values. She previously served as the inaugural Director of Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Reconstructing Judaism and was named one of the Forward 50, and one of the 22 Faith Leaders to Watch by the Center for American Progress.
Under her leadership, CJJ is expanding its reach and deepening its impact in North Carolina.
Sandra holds a graduate degree in Sociology from Clark Atlanta University, a Master of Hebrew Letters (MHL), rabbinic ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School, focused on strategies for organizational success.
