Pursuing Racial Justice: A Modern Exodus with Rabbi Lawson

Pursuing Racial Justice: A Modern Exodus with Rabbi Lawson

Tuesday at 12:00pm PDT

With Passover coming to an end, we welcome Rabbi Sandra Lawson to Maven in conversation with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh to discuss the themes in our Passover narrative that speak out against systemic racism and celebrate liberation from slavery. Learn how the American Jewish community can be more welcoming and celebratory of the Black Jewish experience by engaging in dialogue year-round, not just at the Seder table.

This event is brought you by American Jewish University in partnership with Havurah of the Desert.

Rabbi Sandra Lawson received ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in June 2018. She is currently the Director of Racial Diversity Equity & Inclusion for Reconstructing Judaism. Prior to moving to Philadelphia, Sandra served in the United States Army as a Military Police person with a specialty in Military Police Investigations, specializing in cases involving child abuse and domestic violence. After the military, she became the go-to person when Law Enforcement in the South needed information on hate groups. Today, Sandra sees herself as a 21st century rabbi, connecting to people through music and technology. As a black queer Jew, she hopes to use her Rabbinic training to bring attention to Jewish diversity, environmental issues, and poverty. Learn more about Rabbi Lawson here: https://www.rabbisandralawson.com/.

Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh is American Jewish University's VP for Jewish Engagement. Rabbi Rabizadeh has a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Hebrew from Boston University. She began her career as a Jewish professional by attending the HUC-JIR Rhea Hirsch School of Education in Los Angeles and graduated with a master's degree in Jewish Education. She served as Interim Director of the Religious School at Temple Beth Hillel in Valley Village, CA. Rabbi Rabizadeh fulfilled internships in Monessen, PA, New York City, High Point, NC, and the HUC-JIR National Office of Recruitment and Admissions during rabbinical school.