A Jewish Voice for All of Sandy Springs

As members of our Jewish community who care deeply about Sandy Springs, we are proud to see three candidates for mayor who support the Jewish community and the State of Israel, including the incumbent, Rusty Paul, and two sitting City Councilmembers, Andy Bauman and Jody Reichel. It is historic to have two Jewish candidates seeking to lead Sandy Springs, and it speaks to the strength and vitality of our community.

We are supporting Andy Bauman because he is not only deeply rooted in our community, but also a proven leader with the experience, judgment, and vision to guide Sandy Springs into its next chapter. His Jewish values and connection to this community have shaped his leadership from the start and were on full display when he conceived and helped lead the remarkable Sandy Springs solidarity rally following the Oct. 7 attacks.

For more than 25 years, Andy and his wife, Debbie, have made Sandy Springs their home and have been active participants, supporters, and leaders in Jewish life, including involvement with numerous organizations and Andy’s service on the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. That deep and enduring commitment informs how he leads and the values he brings to public service.

We are deeply appreciative of Mayor Rusty Paul’s longtime friendship with the Jewish community, his work as Mayor, and his work as a compensated advocate for Jewish causes, a role he has held throughout his 12 years as mayor and for several years before that. That work has been meaningful and impactful, and we hope he continues it. But after three full terms, and now seeking a fourth, we believe it is time for new leadership.

Jewish representation matters. Across Georgia there are only about 15 Jewish elected officials, including State Representative Esther Panitch (who has endorsed Andy) and Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch, who is completing her second and final term. Electing Andy would add an important Jewish voice to city leadership at a pivotal time for Sandy Springs, the metro region, and our State.

We are also grateful to Councilmember Jody Reichel for her service and know she has much more to offer Sandy Springs in the years ahead. Both she and Andy have served with dedication, and this election represents a moment of transition. With Andy as mayor and Rusty continuing his advocacy work, our community and our city can truly have a “twofer,” continued support from a longtime friend and lobbyist for the Jewish community and the lived experience, leadership, and fresh vision that Andy Bauman will bring to the mayor’s office for the next four, and possibly eight years.

We urge you to cast your vote for Andy Bauman for Mayor of Sandy Springs.

Signed,

Susan and Steven Pepper

Sheri and Steve Labovitz

Melanie and Allan Nelkin

Matthew Bernstein, CFP/CDFA