Rabbi Sandra Lawson is a pioneering community builder, activist, and innovative educator. In addition to being a veteran, a vegan, and a weightlifter, she is also one of the first queer women rabbis of color. As Associate Chaplain for Jewish Life at Elon University, Rabbi Lawson explores ways to build diverse and welcoming communities. “We are raising a generation of Jews to look past whomever their grandfathers’ rabbis were. One of the things I want the larger Jewish community to understand is that rabbis today are a diverse group. Many are people of color. Many are not straight. Many might be married to non-Jews. My difference, my diversity, is helping people become aware of that.”

OUTstanding! 2020