#rabbi Sandra Lawson

[pargolettasworld]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIATBF_5Z_U

Hashkiveinu is a prayer for a rather specific kind of protection.  It’s part of the evening Amidah, and we are asking not just for a shelter of Divine peace, but to be kept safe at night while we sleep -- while we’re at our most vulnerable -- and to be allowed to wake up in the morning.  It reflects an old, primal fear of sleep as being a bit like death, with the primary difference being that you can wake up from sleep.

A lot of tunes for Hashkiveinu are lullabies, for understandable reasons.  Rabbi Sandra Lawson’s tune is a little different, I think -- there’s still a sense of calm and intimacy here, but you get less of a sense of a sheltering, protective presence like a mother singing it, and more of the kind of intimacy between you and a peer.  Someone who’s just as vulnerable as you, and you’re both sharing your space and your fear together, because fear shared is fear halved.

[rabbisandra]

Avinu Malkeinu is a heartfelt plea to God for mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. It’s purpose is to guide individuals in seeking forgiveness, strengthening our connection with God, acknowledging our responsibilities, and fostering spiritual growth during the High Holidays.

As the High Holidays approach, Avinu Malkeinu serves as a reminder of our responsibility to mend our ways and seek reconciliation with the Divine and fellow humans. It prompts us to consider how we can better ourselves in the coming year and repair any broken relationships.

Avinu Malkeinu encourages us to introspect, not just on our individual deeds but also on our collective responsibilities. It calls for social justice, compassion, and the betterment of the world around us.

Ultimately, Avinu Malkeinu serves as a spiritual guide, evolving with us throughout the High Holidays, reminding us of our capacity for change, growth, and the pursuit of a more righteous path in the year ahead.

I made this home recording. I remember years ago sitting in shul during the High Holidays and hearing a folk version of Avinu Malkeinu on guitar and loving it. Last year I heard Yoyo Ma play it at White House with a crowd of Jewish professionals singing around him, I was moved to tears. We are at another holiday season, and I humbly offer this version to you.

More music coming soon so please follow me on Spotify to stay up to date.

[themichigangayly]

“By focusing on racial justice, we can make Jewish communities more inviting and, ultimately, more vital. And, at the same time, we’ll be taking on white supremacy, the primary American source of antisemitism.” - Rabbi Sandra Lawson

Who is Rabbi Sandra Lawson?

• She is a gay and Jewish rabbi, writer, activist, public speaker, and musician.

• In 2018, she became one of the first openly gay, female, and Black rabbis in the world.

[progressivejudaism]

Mazel Tov Rabbi Lawson!

[yourdailyqueer]

Sandra Lawson

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Lesbian

DOB: Born 1970

Ethnicity: African American

Occupation: Rabbi, veteran, activist, sociologist, personal trainer, weightlifter, writer, musician

Note: First openly gay, female, and black rabbis in the world in 2018

[smalltownseeker]

My Favorite Religious Leaders:

Judaism: Rabbi Sandra J Lawson Islam: Imam Suhaib Webb Christianity: Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber

[daloy-politsey]

Rabbi Sandra Lawson is one of the first rabbis who identifies as black, queer, and female. She’s a veteran, an activist, a musician, a power lifter, and a boundary-breaking spiritual leader. She’s a technology lover who uses Instagram to bring Torah to people all over the world. And she is devoted to creating a more diverse Jewish community in which individuality and social justice are paramount. Through her unique story, Rabbi Lawson will help us expand our own perspective on what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. Join us as we learn about UJA’s work combating racial inequality, supporting LGBTQ communities, and what you can do to help.

[hydrogenperfoxide]

Racism in the Jewish Community by Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Donna Cephas

http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org/racism-in-the-jewish-community

Co-written by Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Donna Cephas, this essay examines the assumption that all Jews are white, while touching on a myriad of interrelated issues: conversion, interracial families, adoption, Ashkenazi privilege and political correctness.

I’m not jewish yet but some of y’all might enjoy this

[divinum-pacis]

Rabbi Sandra Lawson sings and plays the guitar during Friday (June 17)'s Shabbat service celebrating Juneteenth at the Distillery of Modern Art outside Atlanta. 

Photo courtesy Dedra Walker/Emory Rose Photography.

[rabbisandra]

I wrote this song about two years ago. I performed it once and could not get through the song without crying so I put the song away. Then I went to Jewish Songwriting Cooperative and thought it was time to play this song again

[themichigangayly]

• She writes a regular column for the Burlington Times-News. She’s been featured in the JTA as a Jewish user everyone should follow on Snapchat and Twitter, and she was recently named on the Forward 50 2020.

• You can support Rabbi Lawson at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile

“By focusing on racial justice, we can make Jewish communities more inviting and, ultimately, more vital. And, at the same time, we’ll be taking on white supremacy, the primary American source of antisemitism.” - Rabbi Sandra Lawson

Who is Rabbi Sandra Lawson?

• She is a gay and Jewish rabbi, writer, activist, public speaker, and musician.

• In 2018, she became one of the first openly gay, female, and Black rabbis in the world.

[aluuv]

"Let My People Go"

“Let My People Go”

  Join Abundant Love on Sunday, September 1, at 10:30 a.m. for inspiring services celebrating Black Gay Pride. This special service will be led by visiting Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Bishop-Elect Rev. Troy Sanders at the historic Hammonds House Museum, 503 Peeples Street, Atlanta, GA 30310. 

About Pastor Troy Sanders:

Pastor Troy Sanders’ relationship with the divine started when he was a toddler,…

[progressivejudaism]

With every news headline referencing the Covid-19 pandemic, the past few months ushered the world into unprecedented times. But recently, for the first time in what feels like forever, coronavirus has taken the back burner to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Are we still in unprecedented times? Absolutely not.

Racism is a scourge that’s ingrained in society. As a community of people who share the pain of serving as the world’s scapegoat, Jews — as well as everyone — have a responsibility to dismantle the systems that have oppressed Black people for centuries. Victims of racism cannot fight their battles alone, nor can they be at the forefront.

Many non-Black Jews are reckoning with how best to support the Black Lives Matter movement and, in an effort to help, they’re turning to People of Color for answers. This is a mistake. Even with good intentions, do not lean on Jews of Color, primarily Black Jews, to do the work for you. It’s exasperating and further illustrates privilege.

So, where to start? Listen to Black Jews, learn from Black Jews, but don’t ask them for help — they’re asking for ours. So here’s one super simple thing you can do: Check your privilege and begin with diversifying your social media.

[progressivejudaism]

Such a fantastic list of humans!

[rabbisandra]

My Music is on Spotify

[rabbisandra]

The Ep is available on Soundcloud