Rabbi Zivic's years in the rabbinate have been spent in smaller congregations because of his belief that smaller congregations also need quality rabbis. He loves to teach and preach, and believes that it is possible to combine both of those disciplines. Therefore his teaching reflects his preaching in that the courses he teaches tend to reflect his views of Judaism, Conservative Judaism, American Judaism, and Jews. His preaching reflects the view that by using the pulpit to teach the congregation about Torah he is causing learning that will be reflected in the views of the congregants as they approach their lives.

Prior to coming to Heska Amuna in August of 2004, Rabbi Zivic was the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he had been since 1983. He was also the principal of the Religious School there.

Rabbi Zivic has a son, Jonathan, who is a student at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. The only other occupant of his home in Knoxville is his Pomeranian, Buddy.