Featured Resident: Sandra Solomon

By Beverly Sorrells2 min read
Sandra Solomon
Sandra Solomon is not only active in the Jewish community and local politics, she is also a lifelong artist.

For more than 55 years, Casselberry has been home to Sandra Solomon. And during that time, she has played a meaningful role in shaping the city she loves.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Sandra earned a bachelor’s degree in education and later a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida. She taught in Seminole County for 37 years, including serving as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher.

After retiring from her teaching career, Sandra stepped into the political arena, serving for 12 years as a Casselberry city commissioner (which included several stints as vice mayor).

“Casselberry was surrounded by newer cities,” she recalls. “We thought, ‘What can we do in Casselberry that would make us stand out?’”

One answer was adding trees. Sandra championed widespread tree planting throughout the city, an initiative that continues to this day.

“When you drive around Casselberry now,” she says, “the trees are about 25 years old, and it looks beautiful. It really makes a difference.”

Sandra also advocated for stronger code enforcement, a public golf course, and an expanded bike trail system – later helping convince Seminole County to connect its trails to Casselberry’s. As an avid biker at the time, she took special pride in that accomplishment. Sandra remains active in local politics, serving on the board of the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee.

Her ties to the Jewish community also run deep. Sandra is active in two congregations and in the local chapter of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America. She also cofounded the Zionistas, a group that supported Israel through education and interfaith dialogue for more than 15 years. Now residing in a senior living community with a small Jewish presence, Sandra especially values Jewish Pavilion Senior Services and the monthly Shabbat programs it brings to the residents.

In addition to her work in politics and on behalf of Jewish organizations, Sandra is a lifelong artist. She works primarily in pastels, creating richly colored landscapes. Her artwork was recently exhibited at the University Club of Winter Park – another reflection of a life shaped by service, creativity, and community.