Schechter Alumni Spotlight: Max Pivo ‘14
Max Pivo is on a mission to help educators and students forge meaningful connections with Israel and the broader Middle East. As Manager of Partnerships at The iCenter for Israel Education, he drives research and development for signature initiatives, leads professional development experiences, builds and strengthens partnerships, and scouts new opportunities to make an impact.
His background in Middle Eastern Studies, Islam, and Arabic at Dartmouth and Harvard allows him to bring in additional layers of history, culture, and perspective that make the story of Israel more textured and helps to foster thoughtful, authentic connections.
Max’s Harvard Master’s graduation 2024
Zach, Lisa, Max, Jeff, Celia
Schechter graduation 2014 (with Celia ‘12 and Zach ‘16)
Max admits that his career path wasn’t always clear. “I knew that I loved learning and that I was passionate about languages and religion. When Israel became a bigger part of my life, I came to realize that I could pursue the intersection of all three in my higher education.”
Schechter alumni at an event in 2018
Max, Hadar Halivni, Amia Ross, Gavi Welbel, Gaby Ecanow
That revelation set him on a path that began at Dartmouth College, where he majored in Middle Eastern Studies and Religion with a minor in Linguistics, and later continued at Harvard University, where he earned a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies. Outside of academics, he found time to play club baseball, engage with Chabad, and serve as a Middle Eastern Politics Fellow.
Max and his family moved to Chicago’s northern suburbs when he was entering 6th grade. While it’s not always easy to move into a new school, he said that he found “a welcoming and supportive environment for someone who was worried about being an outsider.”
Following Schechter, Max attended Rochelle Zell Jewish High School, further strengthening his Jewish connections and leadership skills. He spent summers at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, where he also worked as a counselor and a Rosh Eidah (unit head). Reflecting on his journey, he says, “the impact I’ve had on campers through my summers at Ramah Wisconsin is one of my proudest accomplishments.”
When asked what the Schechter community means to him, Max responded, “It’s a constant reminder that Jewish education is a pillar of Jewish living.”
RZJHS Senior Volleyball Night 2016
Jeff, Zach, Lisa, Celia, Max
The advice he would give his younger self? “Savor every day with family.”
And the wisdom that guides him currently? A line from Leonard Cohen’s song Anthem: “There is a crack, a crack in everything; that’s how the light gets in.”
