Our Statement on Russia’s War on Ukraine

The Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) was founded by two immigrants: Inessa Rifkin, born in Minsk, Belarus, and Irina Khavinson, born in Chernigov, Ukraine. Both women uprooted their families over thirty years ago, and fled the Soviet Union as Jewish refugees in search of a free and democratic society in which to raise their children. They settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and have considered themselves proud Americans since.

We are an American company, and we pride ourselves on being a company of immigrants. The majority of our teachers, principals, and office administrators emigrated from the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe and came to the U.S. to pursue a better life for their families. We ask the greater RSM community to remember that regardless of their country of origin, no one is responsible for this war but Putin and his regime. 

Many ask about the “Russian” in our school’s name. We named our school to reflect the historic tradition of Russian mathematics that we all share. This is a tradition that predates Russia’s current government and will exist long after it.

Russia’s invasion into Ukraine has been a source of great, real, and concrete pain for all of us. Many of our teachers have loved ones in Ukraine. Wherever we are from originally, if we are lucky to find ourselves in the safety of the world outside of the former Soviet bloc - we are keenly aware that their fate could have been ours. It could have been our children, spouses, and siblings caught up in a war they didn't ask for. 

But given the nature of our company, over the last year we have also found ourselves uniquely positioned to help. Volunteers, consisting of both HQ and branch staff, have worked hard to build a network of individuals in Ukraine, Armenia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany - who have transported, housed, and otherwise assisted over one hundred Ukrainian refugees. In the US, we continue to welcome and cover the tuition of any children of Ukrainian refugees, nearly 100 of whom joined our branches this year.

If you know of anyone in need we ask that you reach out to us at outreach@mathschool.com.