During an increasingly divided time in our country, discussions surrounding identity, faith and social justice have become paramount. In an effort to comprehend at least some of what’s going on in the world around us, we recently engaged in an in-depth conversation with RSL Lawson, executive director at Carolina Jews for Justice (headquartered in Durham). Lawson is a trailblazing activist who embodies the intersectionality of being the first openly gay, African-American, female Rabbi in the world.
Given the current political climate, where issues of race, gender and sexual orientation are often at the forefront of societal and political debates, the conversation sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by individuals who self-identify on multiple levels.
Lawson is a leading voice for Jews of Color and others. Her insights are not only uplifting but also serve as a call to action for those who seek to understand and promote inclusivity within sacred spaces.
Wendy Lyons: Do you reside in the Carolinas?
Rabbi Sandra Lawson: I do. I live in Burlington.
WL: Are you originally from the Carolinas?
RSL: No, I was a military brat. I grew up mostly in the Midwest, but I’ve lived in the South most of my adult life, between Alabama and Georgia and here.
WL: Tell me a little about yourself, and I know you’re in a new role, right? What brought you to that role?
RSL: Oh, well. I mean, not in any particular order, but it was a natural progression of my career as a Rabbi, as a movement Rabbi, a denominational Rabbi. Whatever you’re going to call it? I mean, I think Jews use the term movement as a denomination because it’s sort of, it’s more expansive than denomination. Okay, I moved to North Carolina because I used to be the campus Rabbi at Elon.
WL: Elon University?
RSL: Yeah, I was the campus Rabbi at Elon for almost three years, and then the pandemic hit. I was doing a lot of things outside of working at Elon, plus working at Elon, but the world was just very different, and people needed to have different kinds of conversations.
WL: So what was the transition like for you?
RSL: I helped create a job at Reconstructing Judaism. In shorthand, it was [the] director of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), but [it’s] a lot more complicated than that. We called it the inaugural director of racial diversity, equity [and] inclusion, to tie it to the ever-growing number of Rabbis that were coming to our Rabbinical program, or students of color.
WL: That’s a significant role. How did you approach it?
RSL: We recognized that the focus on DEI and particularly anti-Black racism had to be a priority. I created an assessment tool to gauge our congregations on this issue, not to make them non-racist, but just to figure out where they are. It was a successful project, and I also spent a lot of time mentoring and talking with faculty and our students of color.
WL: When did you start your current role?
RSL: I officially started on June 1, but in the Jewish calendar, the first few days of June were a non-working holiday called Shavuot, so I didn’t actually start until June 4.
WL: I’ve never known of a female Rabbi who looks like me. What was your personal journey like?
RSL: For people outside of the Jewish world, most Jews are brown. If you look globally, most Jews are some kind of brown. In the U.S., depending on which study you look at, Jews make up about two percent or less of the population, and a sizable number of those are racially diverse.
WL: That’s an important narrative to share, especially considering the mainstream portrayal of Judaism.
RSL: Exactly. The narrative often focuses on Ashkenazi, Eastern European stories, sidelining the rich history of Black, Brown, and Sephardic Jews in America.
WL: Are there other Black or Brown Rabbis, especially in leadership?
RSL: There are a growing number of Black and Brown Rabbis across progressive Jewish spaces.
WL: What about the challenges within those spaces?
RSL: The challenge is that even within our community, there’s a blind eye to the racial diversity that exists. While there are many Black and Brown folks in our congregations, leadership often lacks representation.
WL: Are there gender-affirming or same-sex Rabbis?
RSL: Yes, there are many, especially in progressive Jewish spaces. Even in Orthodoxy, there are openly gay Rabbis, though ordination issues persist. Most non-Orthodox schools have no problem ordaining gay individuals, including gay, lesbian, and bisexual Rabbis. Being queer does not negate one’s Judaism. You can’t take away someone’s identity based on their sexual orientation. While there may be homophobia in society, it doesn’t strip away their Jewish identity. It’s crucial to recognize that gay individuals have held significant leadership roles in various Jewish movements, including the CEO of Reconstructing Judaism, who is a queer woman.
WL: In your opinion, what’s the most pressing political issue facing the LGBTQ+ community today?
RSL: The most pressing issue is the erasure of the progress we’ve made. We’re seeing a political climate that aims to control and diminish diversity of thought. This isn’t new; history has shown us that periods of acceptance can be followed by attempts at erasure.
WL: Absolutely. How can spiritual leaders contribute to addressing these issues?
RSL: Spiritual leaders can play a crucial role by fostering dialogue and building coalitions. We may not agree on everything, but we can work together on shared values and goals. We’ve had periods in our history where we’ve just let gay people be gay people, embracing diversity of thought and opinion. However, we are now facing a government that is trying to be authoritarian or is moving in that direction, which means control and erasing any diversity of thought. I think part of the political strategy is to create more divisiveness in our society. I wish more people would understand that we may not all agree on everything, but we should work on the things we agree with instead of arguing about the things we don’t.
WL: That’s a powerful perspective. How does your organization, Carolina Jews for Justice, fit into this?
RSL: We focus on social justice issues; food insecurity, homelessness, voting rights and community safety. Our work intersects with various organizations, and we aim to uplift marginalized voices within our community.
WL: What are some key initiatives your organization is currently pursuing?
RSL: So, right now under my leadership, we are slowly restructuring a little bit to better address the community’s need, not to change the work we do but just because we’re very short staffed. Recently, we’ve been working on food issues, homelessness and community safety, aiming to provide non-violent solutions to crises. I want to work with the Board to come up with a serious strategic plan for the next three to five years.
WL: How can individuals support your organization?
RSL: Grassroots funding is crucial. We need to engage our community, be transparent about our budget, and create avenues for people to get involved, whether through volunteering or donating.
WL: What do you do for downtime, outside of all your activism?
RSL: I play music and write songs. It’s a creative outlet for me. I perform at local venues, and it allows me to express myself in a different way.
WL: That sounds wonderful! And congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!
RSL: Thank you! We’ve been married for almost ten years now, and it’s been quite the journey.
Lawson’s journey is a testament to the power that can grow when combining faith and activism. Her work at Elon University, Reconstructing Judaism and Carolina Jews for Justice highlights the importance of community engagement and the need for spiritual leaders to advocate for social justice and equity. In a time where political and social issues often seem insurmountable, RSL’s insights remind us of the strength that comes from embracing our diverse identities and working collaboratively towards a more inclusive society. As we continue to navigate the complexities of faith and identity, may we all take inspiration from Lawson’s journey and commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and equality for all.
Recognized by the JTA as one of the “50 Jews Everyone Should Follow on Twitter” Lawson was also named one of the Forward 50 in 2020. In 2022, the Center for American Progress identified her as one of the “22 Faith Leaders to Watch.” For her latest musical endeavors, followers can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube and her music is available on all streaming services, including Spotify.
Additional information on RSL Lawson can be found on the various social media platforms, simply by entering her name. She is often referred to as the “Snapchat Rabbi” and the “TikTok Rabbi.”