From the Wilderness, A New Beginning
I've spent the month of May in a liminal space—a pause between what was and what’s next. I used the time to rest, reflect, work on my side projects.
Some moments that filled me up this month:
Speaking at the 2025 Jewish Belonging Summit with incredible colleagues
A retreat with JOC leaders in the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable
Writing new music and planning future gigs
Looking for a house in Durham - we made an offer but the homeowner was too greedy
Creating a website for my music
Below: Some highlights from this month:
Sharing vision and values at the Jewish Belonging Summit—grateful to be part of shaping what comes next.
The song below I wrote and sang (without music) at the Jewish Belonging Summit and at several gigs this month.
My Friend Beth Kennett and I started a Songwriters circle at Persnickety Books
Practicing line dancing with the dogs
Next week, I begin a new chapter as I step into the role as Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice. Though my official start date is June 1, my first day of work will come just after Shavuot—the holiday when we, as a people, stand together again at Sinai to receive the Torah and become the Jewish people.
There’s something poetic about that timing. This week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar, begins the Book of Numbers with a census—a count of each person on this journey, a reminder that every soul matters. The Israelites have been sojourning since leaving Mitzryaim, and now they’re pausing, organizing, and preparing themselves for what comes next. That moment, between wandering and receiving, is where I find myself, too.
I’ve been wandering in the best way: recharging, realigning, and making space for what’s to come. Now, I’m stepping into new leadership, grounded in the wisdom I’ve gathered from my years in the military, entrepreneurial endeavors, education, and my service as a chaplain, educator, and director. I carry with me the wisdom, experiences and the relationships that have shaped me over the years.
A little about Carolina Jews for Justice (CJJ): it’s a growing, vibrant grassroots organization that mobilizes Jewish communities across North Carolina to fight for a more just and equitable state. Rooted in Jewish values and community power, CJJ works on issues like voting rights, racial and economic justice, and fair housing. It’s a place where Jews can live out their values in public life—and I’m honored to step into leadership to help deepen and expand that work.
If you’re in North Carolina—or just curious about the work of CJJ—follow along at carolinajewsforjustice.org or find us on social media: Facebook and Instagram I’ll be sharing more in the weeks ahead.
Bamidbar means “in the wilderness,” a place that can sound like struggle but often becomes a space of transformation and growth. As we approach Shavuot, may we open ourselves to what comes next—from Torah, from within, and from the world around us. May we embrace the work uniquely ours to do and the communities we are called to help build.
Here’s to what comes next.
With gratitude,
R’ Sandra
Thank you for this article. May you experience many blessings on this journey.