Max Israel is a final-year undergraduate student at the University of Oxford studying History and Russian. He is a member of University College. Max spent a compulsory year abroad as part of his course. He decided to split the year abroad between two post-soviet countries – Kazakhstan and Georgia. Russia not being an option, Max had the opportunity to experience countries that did not previously host year-abroad students. Fortunate to have a wide array of options, which ranged from the Baltics to the Caucasus and Central Asia, he felt he would have the most enriching experience by splitting his year between two very culturally and ethnically different countries. It was interesting to see how they have both been forging their post-Soviet national and religious identities. In Georgia particularly, it was reassuring to be so welcomed as a Jew in a proudly Christian nation. Such harmonious religious coexistence is an example of what the Oxford Interfaith Forum stands for. Max looks forward to being a part of the Forum and advocating its message.
Outside of academia, Max enjoys hiking, reading, playing squash and travelling. He is a regular attendee of Oxford’s JSOC and looks forward each week to going to Friday Night dinner!