On any given day at the Hebrew Cemetery, you might spot Sandra Goldman walking the grounds, chatting with a family, or checking in with staff about an upcoming burial. Though she is stepping down from her role as director after 16 years, Sandra isn’t going far. She is transitioning into the role of director emerita, continuing to support the cemetery she helped shape and the community she continues to serve.

Sandra’s retirement from the day-to-day responsibilities is an opportunity to reflect on a career that has left a deep and lasting mark — not just on the cemetery, but on Jewish life in Charlotte. From improving professional operations to supporting hundreds of families in moments of grief, to her tireless advocacy for breast cancer awareness, Sandra’s impact has been wide-reaching, heartfelt, and wholly her own.

The Builder
When Sandra Goldman joined the Hebrew Cemetery Association (HCA) in a part-time role 16 years ago, there was no formal title, not many written procedures, and few operational standards. What she brought, besides deep compassion and vision, was a will to serve others. Over time, she transformed the HCA into a modern, professional, and welcoming institution that could serve the entire Jewish community, regardless of affiliation.

She introduced written policies, upgraded internal systems, and redefined how the cemetery presented itself, down to the creation of a new logo and tagline. Under her leadership, the cemetery added new sections, built the Memorial Building, and installed the striking Silverman Tree of Life Sculpture at the entrance.

Sandra’s focus wasn’t just on logistics or infrastructure. It was about stewardship — ensuring the cemetery could meet the needs of the community not only today, but decades from now. Her work helped the Association become what it is today: a trusted, inclusive destination for Jewish end-of-life care in Charlotte.

Kevin Levine, who was president when Sandra joined the team says “Sandra has established the director’s position to one of high esteem, with great responsibility of which she has served this capacity exceeding all expectations. Her impact is just immeasurable.”

The Comforter
If Sandra Goldman’s legacy can be measured by buildings and policies, it’s also measured by something less tangible, but no less important: the way she shows up for people.

Over her 16 years at the cemetery, Sandra has helped guide more than 500 families through one of the hardest moments in life. Her voice has often been the first one a grieving family hears, and her presence; steady, compassionate, and unflinchingly thoughtful; has provided reassurance when words fall short.

She made herself available not just during business hours, but when people needed her. She fielded late-night questions, worked with clergy of all denominations, and made sure that every burial was handled with care, dignity, and respect. For many, she wasn’t just a cemetery director. She was a partner in mourning. Rabbi Michael Wolk, from Temple Israel says, “I admire how Sandra cares for each family she works with when they are in pain and how she has worked so diligently through so many personal struggles to ensure that the Charlotte Jewish community has a beautiful place to honor our loved ones when they die.”

Her attention to detail extended beyond logistics. She knew when to speak, when to listen, and when to simply be present. It’s this emotional intelligence, combined with deep professionalism, that has earned her the trust and affection of the entire Jewish community.

The Connector
Sandra Goldman has always understood that cemeteries are not just about endings. They are about history, memory, and the threads that bind generations. From the beginning of her tenure, she looked for ways to connect people, not only to loved ones lost, but to the broader story of Jewish life in Charlotte.

One of the most memorable and ongoing programs Sandra has helped lead is Mishpacha Memories, a cemetery-based educational experience that brings history to life through guided tours and reenactments, complete with a horse drawn hearse that drives around the property. Visitors walk the grounds, meeting actors who portray influential members of Charlotte’s Jewish past at their final resting places. The program has helped transform the community’s understanding of the cemetery from a quiet place of mourning into a rich source of storytelling, learning, and connection.

And Sandra isn’t done. On May 4, she will co-lead a new installment of Mishpacha Memories, in partnership with the Art & Culture Department of the Levine JCC. This year’s program will feature a new slate of historical figures and fresh narratives. Sandra has also served as the community’s go-to person for legacy giving, pre-planning, and navigating complex burial arrangements. Her knowledge of Jewish customs, local history, and individual family dynamics has made her uniquely equipped to help people make meaningful, forward-thinking decisions.

She never saw her role as transactional. For Sandra, every call was a relationship, every meeting a chance to connect, and every burial an opportunity to honor both the individual and the community they came from.

The Advocate
Sandra Goldman never intended to become a public voice for breast cancer awareness. But after being diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2010, she found herself not only fighting the disease, but channeling her experience into advocacy and action. It’s a role she continues to embrace today, with honesty, creativity, and relentless determination.
Over the years, Sandra has raised more than $1 million for cancer research and support services. Her efforts have funded free mammograms for uninsured and underinsured patients, supported survivorship programming, and helped beautify the Healing Garden at Atrium Health Levine Cancer.

She’s not afraid to think big — or bold. She co-chaired local fundraisers like Celebrate the TaTas and Beyond the Pink Runway, and even jumped out of a plane from 13,000 feet to raise money for Project PINK, an initiative that provides screenings and follow-up care for underserved patients throughout the region.

Sandra also serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Atrium Health Levine Cancer, where she brings her lived experience into conversations about care and community needs. She’s spoken publicly at events, on radio, and on television, not to spotlight herself, but to remind others that survivorship is a journey, and no one should have to walk it alone.

The Mensch
Ask anyone who’s worked with Sandra Goldman, and you’ll hear a version of the same sentiment: she leads with heart.
Originally from Liechtenstein, Sandra moved to Charlotte in 2005 after meeting her husband in Israel. This year, they celebrated 30 years of marriage. Together, they’ve raised four children, share their home with two dogs, and are active members of Chabad of Charlotte. Faith, family, and service are the cornerstones of her life.

She is known not just as a leader, but as a loyal friend, a thoughtful volunteer, and someone who shows up, whether for a funeral, a fundraiser, or a friend in need. Her sense of humor, strength, and straightforward kindness have built trust in every corner of the community.

Sandra’s story is shaped by the same values she brings to every relationship: integrity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in doing what’s right. Whether supporting grieving families, mentoring younger professionals, or advocating for cancer care equity, she’s built a life around giving back.

A New Chapter
While Sandra has stepped down from the day-to-day demands of running the cemetery, she isn’t disappearing. She will serve as director emerita — a role that allows her to continue offering guidance, support, and institutional memory to the HCA and the broader community.

Even in this next chapter, Sandra remains involved. Whether advising on cemetery operations, co-leading Mishpacha Memories, or continuing her advocacy work, she is as committed as ever to serving the community with compassion and care.
Transitions often mark the end of something. In Sandra’s case, they’re just a continuation of the impact she’s always made — quietly, consistently, and with heart.