Rabbi Sandra Cohen received her BA summa cum laude from Macalester College and a Masters in Hebrew Literature and Ordination from HUC-JIR, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She began her congregational rabbinical career as an assistant rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Denver, Colorado. She then served as rabbi at Temple Micah in Denver, beginning in 1997.  Following a stroke and subsequent health challenges in 2002, Rabbi Cohen left the congregational rabbinate.

Rabbi Cohen is involved in mental health outreach in the Jewish community both locally and nationally. She is also teacher, primary of rabbinic text, in a variety of settings in both the Jewish and larger Denver community. In addition, she also offers pastoral care to individuals and families. 

Mental illness, in its many forms, is pervasive in the Jewish (and non-Jewish) community. Rabbi Sandra Cohen will speak about her personal journey with mental illness and her search for community. She will share her insight and experience on how to make our synagogues, churches, and mosques into a place of caring and home for all members.