Called to Repair, Called to Act

We are taught that tikkun olam – repairing the world – isn’t just an idea. It’s a call to action. It means showing up, rolling up our sleeves, and doing the work to make our communities stronger and more just. For me, that’s what public service has always been about – listening, solving problems with urgency and humility, and leading with empathy and accountability.

That’s the approach I’ve brought to every part of my service: co-founding the Sandy Springs Farmers Market, launching Georgia’s first municipal hate crimes ordinance, creating housing for first responders so they can live in the community they serve, and championing sidewalks, parks, and sustainability projects that make our city healthier and more connected.

But over the past four years, Sandy Springs has stalled. While neighboring cities have moved forward with innovation, revitalization, and smart growth, we’ve too often stood still. Projects have lagged, retail centers have decayed, and the energy that once defined our city has faded. As we mark 20 years of cityhood, we can either settle for the status quo or embrace a new chapter – one built on action, transparency, and progress.

I’m running for mayor because I believe Sandy Springs deserves results – not rhetoric. We need to tackle traffic with smart planning, keep taxes low while improving services, and revitalize neighborhoods that have been left behind. We must make it possible for young families to put down roots, long-term residents to stay connected as they downsize, and those who serve our city – teachers, nurses, first responders – to afford to live here.

As a proud member of the Jewish community and 25-year congregant of Temple Sinai, I’ve always understood leadership through the lens of tikkun olam – justice, accountability, and community responsibility. Representation matters because it brings understanding and compassion into decision-making. I’m honored to have the endorsement of State Rep. Esther Panitch, who exemplifies what it means to lead with conviction and care.

After Oct. 7, I worked with city leadership and law enforcement to strengthen security and confront hate in all forms. Antisemitism, like all prejudice, threatens the fabric of our community. As mayor, I will be a visible advocate for inclusion, safety, and respect for every resident, of every background.

We are called to tikkun olam – to repair the world – but doing so requires action. Seeing our city’s stalled progress has made me stand up and step forward. Because everyone in Sandy Springs deserves a better future and together, we can build it. I hope you will join me in this call to action and cast your vote for Andy Bauman by Nov. 4.

Andy Bauman and wife,  (an anesthesiologist), have been members of Temple Sinai for the past 25-plus years. He considers himself a proud Zionist. Bauman recently helped launch a bipartisan network to connect and support fellow Jewish public servants statewide. He has been active in the American Jewish Committee and previously served on the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.