302. I Wish, I Wish Upon the Wishing Bridge

tree, Jaffa

The wishing bridge instructs me to hold my zodiac sign and look at the sea.

I see the sea, and I see a heart...hmmmmm....

Happy New Year to all!

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

301. Travelling Hearts

stones, taken in Durban and received in Tel Aviv

Collected by children.

Captured by a grown child.

Received by a hopeless romantic.

Shared with all.

Enjoy!

Thank you Nicole for helping these hearts travel the world.

Nicole's heart loves (to come)

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

300. Pearls of Wisdom

candles, Tel Aviv

Jo seems to get more and more radiant each time I see her. This image seems to perfectly reflect the beauty which Jo possesses - with the hands representing doing, and the candles being - inner balance shines through in this woman.

Thank you Jo for your pearls of wisdom and these candles.

Jo's heart would love for others to contribute to osteosarcoma http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/guide2o.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

299. The Reveal

tattoo, Tel Aviv

As 2009 comes to an end I have marked this incredible process I have been on for the past 10 months on my body...the blog will last 365 days, its message to keep an open heart will stay with me for life - thank you to all who have shared their heart and love with me!

Thank you Alex for this beautiful gift which I will cherish until I get old and wrinkly.

Thank you Motty for creating this.

Alex and Motty's hearts would love for others to help help children with cancer http://www.israelcancer.org/home.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

298. 3 Hearts

silver pendant, Tel Aviv

This heart like Alex came from Durban South Africa, and both will be with me for the next 10 days - I love that!

Thank you Alex!

Alex's heart would love for others to help children with cancer http://www.israelcancer.org/home.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

297. Cupid

chalk on sidewalk, Park Hayrkon, Tel Aviv

These hearts which have been pierced with Cupid's arrow are in love, and are taken in all different directions - This is what makes love so exciting, wonderful and terrifying at the same time.

These hearts warn us and dare us to take the plunge.

These hearts would love for others to support the Jewish Agency in helping to transform the lives of children at risk in Israel http://www.jafi.org.il/projects/risk.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

296. Dionysos

wood bar, Herzeliyah Pituach

When the bar is heart-shaped the evening has great potential.

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

295. Birthday Angel

Birthday Angels logo on party kit, Tel Aviv

Today Levavot lead me to Ruthie, the founder of Birthday Angels, a wonderful non-profit organization which provides underprivieged kids in Israel with a birthday party. Ruthie's bubbly, straightforward and giving nature was almost like a blessing as she provided me with a tremendous amount of food for thought.

It is no coincidence that the heart I found on Ruthie today appears in the wings of the angel of her organization's logo - this woman is a true angel!

Ruthie's heart would love for others to support Birthday Angels http://www.birthday-angels.org/?lat=en

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

294. Hearts Breaker

sock, Modiin

Tehila is an Art Therapist and colleague whose classical beauty exudes an earthiness and silent wisdom. When she heard of my project initially, Tehila's instictive reply was that she does not like hearts. Ironically, Tehila has seen quite a few hearts since then.

This silver and shining heart claims to be a heartbreaker.

Tehila's heart would love for others to support Mavoi Satum with agunot, helping Jewish women who are struggling to obtain a get (divorce document) from their husbands http://mavoisatum.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

293. Love Horoscope

love horoscope, facebook, Tel Aviv

My love horoscope for today.

Thank you facebook.

This heart would love for you to support levavot on facebook http://apps.facebook.com/causes/337051/3951902?m=e56504ed

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

292. The International Jerusalem Post

The International Jerusalem Post, Tel Aviv

This arrived in my mailbox today - Yipeeeeee.

These hearts are so grateful to be spreading love internationally!

Thanks again Jacob for writing this article.

Jacob's heart would love for others to support Save a Child's Heart in helping children from third world countries get heart surgery in Israel http://www.saveachildsheart.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

291. Modest and Generous Love

sweatshirt, Modiin

Ronni is a national service volunteer at a nursery school for children with PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder). These tiny hearts on her sweatshirt nearly blend into their background, modestly and generously spreading love, much like Ronni.

Ronni's heart would love for others to support Alyn Hospital, a pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation center http://www.alyn.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

290. Sufganiyah

sufganiyah, Gedera

Hanukkah, which ends today, celebrates the miracle associated with the temple oil. As a result Jews around the world spend 8 days having an absolute love hate relationship with fried food.

The sufganiyah, which in Israel resembles a regular doughnut, reminds me of when I was young and my family would go to Dunkin' Doughnuts for dinner. My parents would get a dozen doughnuts and every person could choose three. If sufganiyot are related to miracles - it's a miracle I am alive after that!

This heart oozes with sweet love, and will be deeply missed until next year.

This heart would love for others to support Leket Israel in helping to feed the needy http://www.tabletotable.org.il/english/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

289. Hanukkah: Urban Lights

fluorescent light, Tel Aviv

As it is Hanukkah, the festival of lights, I thought this image sent to me by Galit today was most appropriate.

Thank you Galit for this heart.

Chag Sameach (happy holidays) to all!

Galit's heart would love for others to support the African Refugee Development Center in advancing the dignity of refugees in Israel http://www.ardc-israel.org/en/about/who

*Content © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

288. Singing in the Rain

wet leaf on pavement, Haifa

Daniela sent me this one today with the following text attached:

"It's raining...the love is coming ;-) "

Amen!

Thank you Daniela.

Daniela's heart would love for others to support Yuvalim http://www.yuvalim.org/

*Content © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

287. Quenching

paper, Tel Aviv

I am back in Israel, and can already feel the love and generosity as I open my inbox to find this image sent to me by Sarah. Sarah is a fellow blogger, muti-cultural Israeli and art lover.

Sarah's hearts placed on a Coca Cola machine quench our thirst for more hearts, as her blog post from today informs us of an art exhibition entitled "Perhaps the Heart" http://www.ohsoarty.com/

Sarah's heart would love for others to support (link to come)

*Content © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

286. Dejeuner chez Ninon (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

wooden chair, Geneva

I am so going to miss the good coffee here...Au revoir La Suisse, et merci Ninon!

Ninon's heart would love for others to support WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization). To find out how you can get involved http://www.towizo.org/htmls/Home.aspx

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

285. Raclette (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

raclette, Les Armures, Vieille ville de Geneve (Geneva)

This evening I wined and dined where Bill and Hillary Clinton tasted Raclette when they visited Switzerland.

My wonderfully energetic, beyond hospitable, and most up to date great aunt Ninon created this infamously tasty Swiss heart for me.

Thank you Ninon for this heart and so much, much more!

Ninon's heart would love for others to support WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization). To find out how you can get involved http://www.towizo.org/htmls/Home.aspx

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

284. Winning the Lottery (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

lottery ticket, Bienne, Switzerland

My grandmother loves to play the lottery and always wins...today we both won!

Also, I have been told that Levavot has made it into the international edition of the Jerusalem Post- can someone spare a copy for me?

My grandmother's heart cares about helping abused children: http://www.eliusa.org/home.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

283. Cuori (hearts in Italian) (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

sweater, skin, cookies, Bienne, Switzerland

Emilia, AKA Grandma Emilia, AKA Mimilia has worked for my grandmother for 15 years, and we all love her dearly. This sweet woman makes the best home made jam and biscuits to be had.

Emilia's heart seems to endlessly give love.

Emilia's heart would love for others to help abused children via the Israel Association for Child Protection http://www.eliusa.org/home.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

282. Fondue Chinoise (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

glass plate for fondue chinoise, Studen, Switzerland

I can finally say I have tried fondue chinoise.

Thank you Grandmaman for this plate which comes back to Israel with me.

My grandmothers heart cares about helping abused children: http://www.eliusa.org/home.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

281. Maman Mia (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

pasta, Bienne, Switzerland

These will be served in the near future....

Franco sold me these. When I asked him what organization or cause touches his heart he told me he is a Catholic, and if he meets a hungry person who wants his orange he will give it to him or her. Franco would love for you to do the same.

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

280. Angels in Switzerland (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

L'Ange Protecteur, Niki de Saint Phalle, Zurich train station, Switzerland

This is one of my favorite works of art.

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

279. 30 Seconds of Levavot in 2009 (video)

30 seconds of levavot (hearts) in 2009, video

CNN's iReport is featuring videos of 2009 in 30 seconds...I took on the project for Levavot...this was crazy fun!

Thank you Ronnie for helping with this.

Ronnie's heart would love for others to support CHAI (Concern for Helping Animals in Israel) in helping to stop animal abuse http://www.chai-online.org/en/companion/emergency_abuse.htm

These hearts want you to check them out on CNN's iReport http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-365940

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

278. Mud

rain water puddle in mud, Tel Aviv

Today my umbrella broke in the rain. There was something relieving about having my hand once again available to me - I ate dried pineapple slices as I was getting soaked, and it felt wonderful!

A while later I bought an umbrella - it is red, and was a pain to hold. Capturing this heart with a half available hand was no easy chore.

This heart seems to shout out that part of having love in our lives means we must get messy.

This heart would love for others to support Kishorit in helping to create a community for adults with special needs http://www.kishorit.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

277. From all the Heart

sticker, Tel Aviv

In a few days I will be going to Switzerland to celebrate my mom's birthday.

Today, as I picked out her gift the saleslady, Maayan put this heart-shaped sticker which reads "from all the heart" on the gift box.

Maayan's heart would love for others to support Tikkun Olam in helping to relieve the pain of people suffering from illnesses via medical marijuana http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1132482.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

276. Show Off

flower petals, Tel Aviv

As I walked by this flower it seemed to almost show off to me that it was in love.

This heart would love for others to find love http://www.levavot.com/home.php

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

275. Voyeur

leaf, Haifa

Peeping heart.

Thank you Daniela for this heart.

Daniela's heart cares about Yuvalim http://www.yuvalim.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

274. Wall of Hearts

paper on wall, Azur

As I am working on getting the love found in Levavot out of virtual land and into reality, today I found myself in Azur, where I payed a visit to the house of Save a Child's Heart. They are a wonderfully sweet organization which provides heart surgery in Israel to children from third world countries, including Palestinian children up to age 18.

This wall of hearts aims to pay for one child's surgery, as each heart has been inscribed and purchased for a certain amount of money. These hearts stand for the possibility of life and love, and beg to be surrounded by more!

These hearts would love for you to check out Save a Child's Heart http://www.saveachildsheart.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

273. Juicy

pomella, Modiin

Today during a staff meeting Yifat pulled out the most monsterous sized pomella I have ever seen. Next thing, Gali takes out her swiss army knife. Next thing, the entire staff is eating pomella. And just like that the staff meeting got a whole lot juicier!

Yifat's heart would love for others to contribute to Schneider Children's Medical Center in helping children with heart disease http://www.schneider.org.il/Eng/Index.asp?CategoryID=95&ArticleID=151

Gali's heart would love for others to contribute to protecting Israel's environment through Adam Teva V'Din http://www.adamteva.org.il/?CategoryID=388

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

272. World AIDS Day

flyer/ book mark, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Today is World AIDS Day. In the spirit, I bring you this heart from a flyer for an organization called Delet Ptucha (or, The Open Door), whose aim is to provide information and advice on issues regarding sexual health and responsibile behavior in love and relationships.

These hearts would love for others to check out The Open Door http://www.opendoor.org.il/About.aspx?did=277

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

271. Doors

sticker, Tel Aviv

I saw this door on the sidewalk...it made me think:

Some doors we are afraid to open - our active imaginations are usually more frightening than what is on the other side.

Some doors we open and then choose to close - we have no need to turn back.

Other doors we choose to leave open - holding on to options can sometimes feel safe.

And there are those doors that just get in the way, and while we would love to toss them there is always a price to pay.

Whoever threw away this door lost a heart in the process...makes me wonder...was it worth it?

This heart links to Members of the Israel Covenant of Service http://www.asakim.co.il/about_english.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

270. Ginger

dog collar, Tel Aviv

This morning during my walk with Hugo I noticed Ginger in the distance, lying down on the sidewalk with a very focused stare in Hugo's direction. As we got closer, both Hugo and Ginger began wagging their tails, and just like that the two became best of friends. In that moment of pure love I spotted Ginger's heart-speckled collar.

Ginger became quite camera shy, so Ylena, her owner, held her as I took this picture.

Ylena and Ginger's hearts would love for others to support CHAI (Concern for Helping Animals in Israel) in helping to stop animal abuse http://www.chai-online.org/en/companion/emergency_abuse.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

269. Almost as Sweet as Susan

cake, Ramat Aviv

Susan has known me since I was born, and each time I am invited to her house I feel like I get a dose of good old fashioned motherly love. When I was a vegetarian Susan would go out of her way to make an added spread just for me, and then she would send me home with a week's worth of leftovers. Today, amongst the five desserts to choose from Susan made this heart-shaped cake which is now sitting in my fridge - Thank you so much Susan!

This heart is almost as sweet as Susan.

Susan's heart would love for others to help children with cancer http://www.israelcancer.org/home.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

268. Key to Your Heart

key chain, Tel Aviv

Today Miri came over and we had a great heart to heart.

Miri wants to thank Ronnie for this key chain from the bottom of her heart.

Miri's heart would love for others to contribute to CLICK (Community Leadership & Intervention of Crisis for Kids and the Elderly) http://www.click-savi.org.il/

You too can have one of these key chains made by ILAN, which supports disabled individuals http://www.ilan-israel.co.il/index.php?page_id=399

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

267. Sha'at Ratzon

alarm clock, Tel Aviv

According to Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism), today between the hours 13:43 and 13:56 was referred to as Sha'at Ratzon (which translates to the hour of desire), where one could ask God for that which they wanted.

Amongst my list was a desire to find a heart shaped clock to accompany this text - one thing on my list has already come true.

At the clock shop I met Natan who let me take this picture.

Natan's heart would love for others to help children with cancer http://www.israelcancer.org/home.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

266. Loving Eyes

graffiti, building site, Tel Aviv

Today the forecast was rain.

I captured these hearts early in the morning before they began to weep.

These hearts would love for others to support The Center for the Blind http://www.sites.huji.ac.il/blind/english/index.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

265. A Whole Lot of Woman

photograph, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Sorina is one of the cooler, more sohisticated, down to earth, and sexy women I have met. A mother, wife, dance therapist, psychotherapist, on her way to being a sex therapist, and my personal favorite, a licensed pilot - this woman is a whole lot of woman!

This heart embraces the potential in one little girl.

Sorina's heart would love for others to help children with cancer http://www.israelcancer.org/home.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

264. 264th Heart on Levavot

rusted staples on wooden electricity pole, Tel Aviv

Today I have completed 264 consecutive days of finding hearts for Levavot - that is 264 days of committing to being connected to the love around me - I look forward to the next 100 I will share with you!

Today I passed this electricity pole which was absolutely covered in rusted staples and thumbtacks.

This electricity pole bares the scars of spreading news to those in the neighboood, and lovingly reminds us that in order to be connected to those around us we must pay a price.

This heart would love for others to support Connections Israel in helping to bring the Jewish people together http://connectionsisrael.com/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

263. I Love Zizi

graffiti, Tel Aviv

The French community seems to be growing in Israel, and with it came some fantastic street art.

This heart takes me to a French song called Le Zizi (the Penis), by Pierre Perret which I grew up on and loved listening to...(to hear the song click on the following link)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIvLqgvO5Tg ...perhaps in there lies the seed to my studying Sex Therapy?

This heart would love to help others find a mohel in Israel to perform a Brit Milah (circumcision) http://eng.itim.org.il/?CategoryID=197&ArticleID=497

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

262. Angelic Hearts

graffiti, Tel Aviv

Islam, Judaism and Christianity all speak of angels - these winged hearts cross all religions.

As I am shortly approaching my 100 days left in Levavot, I would like to feature a monthly person with a big heart - an individual who is doing inspiring and extraordinary things in Israel.

If you are one of these people, or you know someone like this

Please write to me at levavot.hearts@gmail.com (in the subject write: levavot people with big hearts).

Thanks Ari for these hearts which made me smile.

Ari's heart would love for others to support brain research to fight disease http://www.psychobiology.org.il/

*Content © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

261. Conditional Love

lighter, Tel Aviv

Relly had a much easier time lighting this fire in the car than on the beach.

These hearts remind all people with fire signs (such as myself) that we are extremely sensitive to the conditions around us. That being said, when the conditions are right we have great potential!

Relly's heart would love for others to support the Glickman center against family violence http://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/Hebrew/Human/Family/Emergency/ViolencePreventionCenter.asp

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

260. Coffee with Syrup - Learning to See in the Dark II

coffee beans, Raanana

Today, I could feel myself resisting learning in the dark.

That being said - resistance: like these heart-shaped beans, been there done that -

I will walk despite my resistance.

This heart would love for others to support El Halev in empowering women of all ages, and preventing violence through training in self-defense and the martial arts http://www.elhalev.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

259. Breaking Free

netting and dirt, side of highway, near Rehovot

Driving back from Rehovot this heart caught my eye...lucky for me there were no other cars on the road so I went on the shoulder and did a small reverse....and Voila!

This heart seems to be breaking free from the netting which surrounds it.

This heart would love for others to support Women's Spirit in helping to financially empower women victims of violence http://www.ruach-nashit.org.il/page.asp?p=78

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

258. Burst

burst balloon, Tel Aviv

I didn't see this one burst, but I witnessed the aftershock.

Sometimes a bubble is burst and the heart feels a little blue...

This balloon's heart would love for others to support Birthday Angels in helping underprivileged children celebrate their birthdays http://www.birthday-angels.org/site/index.asp?depart_id=70698&lat=en

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

257. Electric Love

electricity pole, on the highway to Tel Aviv

When it's electric the heart gets turned on!

This heart on the highway would love for others to support Or Yarok in preventing traffic accidents http://www.oryarok.org.il/?p=320

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

256. Naked & Nude

tangerine peel, Tel Aviv

To fall in love we must allow ourselves to be seen both naked and nude.

The edges of this heart-shaped peel look like remnants of a struggle to hold on to a protective layering. Somewhere, a very vulnerable and brave tangerine is being enjoyed for all it has to offer.

This heart reminds us that we must let go in order to love and be loved.

This naked and nude heart would love for others to learn more on sex education and sexuality http://www.dinahproject.com/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

255. Botz

black coffee, Tel Aviv

Black coffee, AKA cafe shachor (which translates to black coffee), turkish coffee, botz (which translated to mud) is a very strong coffee enjoyed by many in Israel.

This tossed, heart-shaped black coffee has been on the pavement for at least a week - now that's a strong and long lasting coffee, which apparently was made with love!

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

254. Connected

satellite dish, Tel Aviv

This morning I felt completely helpless and alone as I was without my cell phone. As I waited for Miri to bring my lifeline back to me I noticed this heart peeking at the world from the rooftop.

This heart understands the importance of being connected.

Miri's heart would love for others to contribute to CLICK (Community Leadership & Intervention of Crisis for Kids and the Elderly) http://www.click-savi.org.il/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

253. Slightly Out of Focus

coffee bean in salt shaker, Tel Aviv

I wish this heart could have been captured a bit more clearly, but perhaps this reflects my current state of mind - feeling the love, but slightly out of focus.

Goodnight to all.

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

252. Containing

bag, Reut

Gali was upset when I photographed this heart because the bag is part of a marketing tool for Cellcom...that's part of Gali's charm - keeping things real, and to the heart of the matter.

To give this heart some depth, this photo was taken as we left a seminar where I learned something profound: you can only contain someone if they feel contained.

This heart attempts to lovingly contain all its contents - I love that it does not give up!

Gali's heart would love for others to contribute to protecting Israel's environment through Adam Teva V'Din http://www.adamteva.org.il/?CategoryID=388

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved