Martin Balter

The Manhattan College Holocaust Resource Center mourns the loss of one its most faithful supporters. Martin Balter was an endlessly curious person who believed in the power of education and in the power of ideas. From his early experience as a medical volunteer for the Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s to a brilliant career as an engineer to being part of a loving family as a devoted husband and father, Martin Balter believed in putting his ideals and his faith into action. Along with his wife Clara, Martin provided essential financial support for the Center; it was their generosity that enabled us to publish Martin Spett’s Reflections of the Soul: My Holocaust Experiences in 2002 which has been (and continues to be) distributed free of charge to thousands of students and teachers. But Martin Balter’s support also came in less tangible fashion: he profoundly believed in the Center’s mission of educating both our students and the broader public about the Holocaust and its significance for the present-day with special emphasis on teachers and future teachers. He continually encouraged us to find new ways of getting our message out to as many young people as possible to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. Martin is survived by Clara, his daughters Lucy and Joan and his grandchildren Adam and Juliana. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Manhattan College community are with you. We assure you that Martin Balter will be missed.