December 2021
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Making the World a Kinder Place
Orly Wahba shares about what inspired her to create Life Vest Inside and how we can all work to make the world a better place.
By Ruti Eastman
“…Hillel says: Be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people…” ~ Pirkei Avot 1:12
Orly Wahba is an educator, entrepreneur, and community activist who is passionate about inspiring and motivating people to make the world a kinder place. In 2011, Orly founded Life Vest Inside, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower and unite the world with kindness. Through Life Vest Inside, Orly encourages people to embrace the incredible power of giving and to recognize that in times of hardship, kindness—like a life vest—keeps the world afloat.
Unorthoboxed: I just started reading Kindness Boomerang: How to Save the World (and Yourself) Through 365 Daily Acts. Like Pirkei Avot and the writings of Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramchal), the ideas only seem simple. They are very deep and potentially life-changing. Why did you write the book, and why in this style?
Orly Wahba: The Kindness Boomerang concept began when I was a middle school teacher. Kindness, compassion and empathy were concepts I taught to my students on a daily basis. I started a project with my students called “Acts of Kindness” cards. I wanted my students to realize that an act of kindness isn’t a one-time action.
A Message From Our Editor
Some time ago I gave a talk on the difference between knowledge and belief. In the talk I explained how in English, the word “knowledge” is understood to be stronger than the word “belief.” If I say that I know it’s 3:00 p.m., that’s a much stronger statement than if I say I believe that it’s 3:00 p.m.
And yet, the truth is that belief is much stronger than knowledge. A belief is something you hold to be true regardless of evidence to the contrary. Knowledge is an understanding of something acquired through experience or education, the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. Still sounds like knowledge is stronger, right? Except knowledge does not always affect behavior, but belief always does.
Penina Taylor
Editor in Chief
