Dr. Cynthia Martin from the University of Maryland- Righteous Among the Nations

B”H

Dr. Cynthia Martin was my beloved Russian professor at the University of Maryland. I recently learned about her unexpected death and would like to highlight her contribution to the Jewish community. After the October 7th slaughter, some students sent a letter for professors to sign, to “show support for Israel and condemn the horrible attack of October 7th this past week.” Professors who signed it would not remain anonymous because their names would appear in the letter. As such, professors doing so risked being blacklisted by students and faculty. I sent the letter to numerous professors. Dr. Martin was one of the two who signed it. Yet, her support for Israel and the Jewish people went beyond just signing her name. 

I took an advanced Russian composition class that covered totalitarian ideology in the Soviet Union. After October 7th, Dr. Martin was the only professor I had that condemned the murders. While others declined to comment, Dr. Martin could not ignore this tragedy. We discussed how the dehumanization and demonization of those who are different from you leads to terrorism exacted by both Stalin and Hamas. She wholeheartedly and unequivocally condemned the notion that Israel deserved this or that Hamas had no other choice but to murder civilians. However, this offended two students in the class who defended the actions of Hamas and condemned Israel before it counterattacked. Nevertheless, she would not back down. Even when one of those students wrote a letter to the Dean’s office, accusing Dr. Martin of Islamophobia, she stood her ground.

Several months ago, I thanked her by email. She responded, “I am not afraid to go on the record…It made sense for me to address it both academically and from a position of personal horror at the transpiring events repeating once again, through history on 10/7 against Israel.” Dr. Martin was so much more than just a professor to me. She resolutely stood up against antisemitism when no other professor would. 

Dr. Martin understood that her courage might be attacked by colleagues and students. But, she repeatedly stood up for what was right. Dr. Martin was not Jewish, but I have never felt more heard or understood by any professor, regardless of their religious background. She was someone I planned to invite to my wedding in the future. I will never forget her kindness, support, and commitment to the truth at any cost. Dr. Martin was truly righteous among the nations.