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40. Orit Lahav
Adv., Executive Director Mavoi Satum
Open-mindedness
What it means?
Open-mindedness is the most important value for human development. Doubt everything, ask questions, investigate, experiment. Open-mindedness allows us to examine our positions instead of working on auto-pilot.
As a behavior, open-mindedness can be expressed through being adventurous, being willing to say yes more often, and approaching new people, experiences, and the world, with an open heart and a curious mind.
Why it matters?
Among other reasons, open-mindedness is important for creating social change. As a woman who deals with the problem of agunot, I find that the mental barrier is our biggest obstacle. People are sure that the agunah problem has no clear solutions – that is has always existed, and will always continue to exist. Our greatest challenge is to provide an alternative – to demonstrate that a world without agunot is achievable. One this idea is embraced, the path to such a world will be very short.
How can we promote it?
Through education, open-mindedness can be cultivated by fostering curiosity and inquiry from an early age. In later stages of life, one can practice open-mindedness by seeking out meetings with diverse individuals – meetings with the aim of listening and understanding, rather than convincing others. Exposure to diverse content can also help cultivate open-mindedness.