Maya Savir

Maya Savir is a published author and a professional in development work and humanitarian relief, and in the human rights and peace building community.

Maya is the author of two works of adult fiction, one work of adult nonfiction, one young adult novel, and three children’s books.

Raised in Jerusalem, Ottawa and New York, Maya grew up in a family of peace activists and peace makers. She is the daughter of Uri Savir, senior diplomat who served as Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry and chief negotiator of the Oslo Accords, and himself the son of a senior diplomat.

Maya currently serves as Israel Country Director for Search for Common Ground, the largest international organization dedicated to peace building, focusing on innovative, inclusive peace building. A professional in humanitarian and development work, Maya spent a decade as Executive Director of an NGO dedicated to treatment and prevention of malnutrition, and worked in South Africa, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. Her close encounters with colleagues in South Africa and Rwanda inspired her to write On Reconciliation.

Maya lectures and teaches reconciliation as a moral and pragmatic choice in Israel, Palestine and for international audiences, as well as diplomates and policy makers. Her writing and teaching strengthen peace builders and invites skeptics to reconsider their stance by providing them with historical perspective, personal stories, metaphors, and insight. It fosters hope in a much-needed time.

Maya is the recipient of the Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East from the Institute of International Education.

She is married, the mother of four, and lives in Tel Aviv.