levavot: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

118. Holding Hearts

silver pendant, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Tal is a couple's therapist whose beauty resonates from the inside and out. From the first time I met her I was mesmerized by the calmness she exudes, and the clarity with which she speaks.

I can think of no hand which is better suited to hold so many hearts with such ease.

Tal's heart would love for others to contribute to the Israeli Society for Autistic Children http://alutfriends.org/

Monday, June 29, 2009

117. VIP

paint on car, Tel Aviv

This heart offers transportation and VIP services, and makes me question what constitutes a VIP (Very Important Person)? Do you feel like a VIP?

This heart loves those who feel like a VIP, and would love to service them.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Hani (which she pronounced Honey), is a super sweet woman, who amongst great chaos on several occasions has helped me remain calm - I don't know if she realizes this. Today, as I sat before her I noticed she was surrounded by hearts - somehow this seems to fit.

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

Saturday, June 27, 2009

115. Surprises 'R' Us

ink on wood, Tel Aviv

This sign sits in a garden of an apartment building which is filled with all sorts of random objects surprising the eye, and reads "Surprises are us".

This heart loves the element of surprise, and seems to be the adult version of TOYS 'R' US.

Friday, June 26, 2009

114. 100th Heart (In Israel) - Michael Jackson

ink on paper, Jerusalem Post on-line

Today, as Michael Jackson's heart stopped, hearts in Israel, and around the globe skipped a beat. The artist's impact left many with a broken heart.

Thank you Perli for helping me find this one.

Perli's heart would love for others to help with Ezer Mizion http://www.ezermizion.org/

Thursday, June 25, 2009

113. Everybody Needs Some Love

cardboard box advertising condoms, Tel Aviv

Where in the devil did the angel go?

This heart came to me several days ago - sometimes the best things come to those who wait.

Thank you Ari for adding some sugar and spice and other things nice...

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

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

112. Educating with an Open Heart

sticker, Modiin

As part of the BA program in special education for young children, Sivan spent the past year training in a communication nursery school for children with PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder). Today, as Sivan officially parted from the kids, the impact she made on their lives was heartfelt. Tears of sadness streamed down their tiny innocent faces as she handed out books to each child, with an attached CD of her voice reciting the story. I have a feeling these discs will be played over and over.

The heart on the cover of this book reflects that as Sivan is about to complete her BA Israel will be blessed with a super creative, patient, devoted and passionate educator!

Sivan's heart deeply cares about helping children with special needs, particularly ADHD http://www.telem.org.il/?page=treatment&id=9&m_id=2

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

111. The Negev

stones and sand, Park Timna, Negev

I used to have a love affair with the desert. I would go on a regular basis seeking out the wide open space filled with cascading, hypnotic hills. The Negev's calmness would almost instantly send me into a state of meditation. It has been a while since I have seen her beauty, so I was more than pleased when I received this heart last night.

Thank you Mervyn and Bella for collectively bringing a piece of the desert's beauty back to me.

Mervyn's heart would love for you to contribute to the animal shelter http://www.spca.org.il/english.php

Bella's heart very modestly asks that you contribute to The People's University Project at Tel Aviv University http://www.unibaam.tau.ac.il/Peoples_University.pdf

Monday, June 22, 2009

110. The Path to Love

reflection of bridge detail on wooden path, Park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv

The bridge detail which is reflected on this path was used in an earlier post (see 'Being', March 12, 2009), however today I captured it from a different perspective. When we choose to look at love from new perspectives it can shed alot of light.

As I walked on this path I felt myself in a fairy tale.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

109. Ignorance is Bliss

furry pillow, Givataiim

One of the wonderful things I discovered when I made Aliyah were family members from my African side. Today, I had to wish Mark, Mandi, Mika and David farewell - again. As we sat in their apartment amongst the boxes and suitcases I had a difficult time grasping reality. It seemed as though each of us was in our own bubble taking in this moment.

This purple heart (or Pear-poo heart as Mika would have said not so long ago), sits amongst bubbles which Mika was creating - her bubbles definitely appear happier than all of ours - ignorance is bliss....I will miss you all!!!

Mandi's heart would love for others to help with Ethiopian immigrants http://www.iaej.co.il/index.htm

Saturday, June 20, 2009

108. Life in the Fast Lane

emblem on motorcycle, Tel Aviv

The heart on this motorcycle loves that it can move freely through traffic, and then park almost anywhere. Yes, I am jealous, but there are some fears I choose not to cross.

Friday, June 19, 2009

107. Receiving in Silence

computer screen, windows live messenger, Tel Aviv

For someone who loves to talk losing my voice is not an easy thing, and I am now under instruction by my doctor not to speak. Thanks to messenger I can still communicate with those I love.

Today, I received this heart from my very sweet friend Relly - just like her it says so much using so little, and just like her it adds much brightness, color and cheer to my days.

Relly's brave heart cares about Glickman center against family violence http://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/Hebrew/Human/Family/Emergency/ViolencePreventionCenter.asp

Thursday, June 18, 2009

106. Gateway to Success

metal gate, Kfar Shmaryahu

Kfar Shmaryahu is an affluent local council within the district of Tel Aviv.

This intricate heart-covered gate lets us see inside, but very clearly and lovingly shows us its boundaries - perhaps that is the gateway to success (be it Kfar Shmaryahu or anywhere else).

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

105. Kissed by a Heart

Hugo's tongue, Park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv

Today after work I went with Hugo to the park. After polishing off a very yummy halva and chocolate oreo cookie ice-cream I lay back on my sheet to relax, when this happy heart suddenly appeared wanting to lick me, (which in dog translates to kiss) - Could anyone ask for more?

It took some effort to recreate the kiss, and capture this heart on camera. In the process I was cracking up laughing by myself, or so I thought - When I finally sat up I discovered I was very much not alone in the park. Oh well, this happy loyal heart is definitely worth a little embarrassment.

Hugo would love for others to contribute to SOS Pets Association http://www.sospets.co.il/16641/_About_SOS_Pets_Association

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

104. No Strings Attached

string on road, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Though this string seems to blend in quite well with the road, it jumped right out at me.

This heart grabbed my attention and sent love my way - no strings attached.

Monday, June 15, 2009

103. Free-Love?

advertisement on bus, Tel Aviv

I thought freelove.co.il was one amongst many Israeli dating sites. But, with a little research I discovered this site offers a bit more - freelove allows you to experience relationships which might require privacy.

Today I took a day off from work to nurse myself back to health. That being said, I am still responsible for Hugo, so off we went for a wee-wee. I was thrilled when I saw this bus pull up. However, as I took the picture Hugo and another two dogs began to howl at eachother so that I nearly lost my camera and my arm.

Yes, this heart came to me, but was it free? - Is anything?

Sunday, June 14, 2009

102. Second Hand

store window, Tel Aviv

The hearts on the window of this second hand shop for women remind us to appreciate things for their quality.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

101. Cup of Love

foam on cappuccino, Tel Aviv

After going to see an art exhibition in honor of the 100 years of Tel Aviv, where 101 Israeli female artists answer the question "what do women want", Megi and I went to grab a cup of coffee.

This cup reflects what this woman wants!

Thank you Mish-Mish for making this cup of love. Mish-Mish's heart would love for others to help protect the environment http://www.aspni.org/about_aspni.html

Friday, June 12, 2009

100. Lost and Found

cement and gravel, tow parking lot, Tel Aviv

Tonight I went out with some friends and learned a lesson on loss:

I had taken a fabulous picture of a heart which was deleted by accident - I was bummed. Shortly thereafter I received a call from Danielle that her car was missing. After a bit of a run around we found the car at a tow parking lot - where I found this heart.

Lesson: sometimes you must lose one heart to find another.

Thank you Micha for helping me find heart number one and two: Micha's heart would love for others to contribute to latet http://www.latet.org.il/english/

Thursday, June 11, 2009

99. Eleven Years in Israel

crocs on feet suspended in massage chair, Givataiim

Like my cousin Joey's feet, which rise above the ground, today marks ELEVEN years since I made Aliyah (ascended to Israel)!

This heart proves that ascension can be very pleasurable when one takes care of oneself in the process.

Joey's heart would love for others to contribute to Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

98. Hilton and Vered's Wedding

ink on paper, Hagiva Bebrener

On Friday May 29 (see post "Surprise") the family from both sides got together and recorded this song which we sang last night at the gorgeous wedding - Mazal Tov to Vered and Hilton!!!

When it comes to this couple I seem to keep finding hearts linked together. These two hearts are clearly together united forever - Tradition, Tradition!

I will be asking the couple where they would like people to donate to...details to come ;-)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

97. Before Hilton and Vered's Wedding...

card, Tel Aviv

Tonight we will be celebrating my cousin Hilton and Vered's wedding - this heart wishes the stunning couple a honeymoon which will last forever - Mazal Tov!

Monday, June 8, 2009

96. Heart of Tel Aviv

neon sign, Dizengoff Center, Tel Aviv

Dizengoff center is recognized as the heart of Tel Aviv. Though my first apartment was located across the street from this shopping center, I am not an avid shopper. Today I must have tried on a hundred dresses in this building, and one olive-colored dress later my exhausted body stepped outside and photographed this heart.

Some people love this heart from the inside, I love it from the inside out.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

95. Doggy Style

magnet on hair dryer for dogs, grooming shop, Tel Aviv

Anna is a very funky dog lover. Her grooming shop is called Doggy Style, and cannot be missed as she has two of the most gentle Black Russian Terriers whose enormous size seems to stop every passer-by. Ribbons from dog competitions decorate Anna's shop, and reflect her passion.

Today, as Hugo was getting groomed I spotted this heart. It was no surprise that I would find a heart in this shop - I think even Hugo loves getting groomed here!

To contact Anna for dog grooming: 054 740 1034

Anna's heart would love for others to help animals in need http://www.spcaisrael.org/

Saturday, June 6, 2009

94. The Land of Honey

filet, Neveh Sharet, Tel Aviv

Asi is one of the treasures I have found in the holy land. We met at the dog park two years ago, where I discovered his wisdom, intellect, humor, kindness and endless patience - since then he feeds my mind with food for thought on a regular basis.

Today, Asi fed me this delicious filet. As I was a vegetarian from 1993-2009, eating meat is still reatively new for me, but my taste buds were certainly loving this heart.

Thank you Asi for finally inviting me to the promised land of honey ("where there is no milk because we killed the cow")

Asi would love for others to check out this video and possibly adopt a dog via SOS in Herzeliya this Friday, June 12. For more information http://www.flix.co.il/tapuz/showVideo.asp?m=2614890

Friday, June 5, 2009

93. I Love M.E

t-shirt, Tel Aviv

This shirt loves itself and the Middle East at the same time.

This heart knows that in order to love someone else you must love yourself first.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

92. My Garden of Eden

fig on tree, Tel Aviv

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings" - Genesis 3:7

This heart is not forbidden fruit, and while surrounded by fig leaves it has nothing to hide - This heart is simply waiting to be picked.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

91. Communal

stickers, entrance to apartment building, Tel Aviv

Though today Israel functions as a capitalistic society, the country was founded on socialist beliefs and communal living.

This notice board at the entrance to an apartment building in Tel Aviv reads:

Dear Tenants

Close the light at the entrance in the morning!!!

Thank you

These hearts love that while we might pay for private flats, the communal foundation lives on.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

90. Post-Trauma

paper cup, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

As part of a civil defense drill, at 11:00 this morning a siren went off, signaling the entire country to enter a protected shelter.

Daniela was visibly shaken to the core as the siren triggered her traumatic experience of complete chaos and instability during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. When we returned from the protected space, I looked over and saw Daniela clutching this cup of tea, attempting to nurse herself back to normalcy. The half-hearts on this cup sadly reflect the effects of post-trauma - shaken up and broken.

To help with Israel's trauma center for victims of terror and war http://www.natal.org.il/english/

Monday, June 1, 2009

89. Meowch

street cat, Tel Aviv

Street cats are everywhere in Tel Aviv, and most other cities throughout Israel. With an unpredicatable and unstable existence, these cats have taken on survival tactics, and can become quite vicious at times. Like other problems in this region there are many opinions regarding the solution.

As I tried to give a voice to this problem via the heart on this cat, Hugo and I got hissed at big time - while this heart is terrified it desperately wants to be loved!

One way to help with cats and other animals in need is via the Israeli Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals http://www.spca.org.il/english.php