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

251. Broken and Left Behind

ceramic tile, building site, Ramat Hasharon

I received several hearts today, and apologize in advance for those I did not post - please know I save and cherish them all...isn't it obvious that I am a sentimental junkie?

As I had to choose, I bring you this heart sent to me by Galit which was found at a building site. I simply could not resist sharing the raw beauty found in things broken and left behind.

This heart seems to beg of us to not forget our past as we build our future.

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

250. Lucky 7

card, Tel Aviv

I had just photographed my heart for the day when I turned around and there was this card lying on the ground - Lucky 7 - how could I not use this one?!

I have always considered myself to be very lucky - I wonder what this one is coming to tell me...I confess, I am smiling.

These hearts would love for those addicted to gambling to seek out help via Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/mtgdirISR.html

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

249. Bear Hug

ceramic paint and glitter, Gedera

Woke up this morning to this bear hug made by Mika.

This heart reminds me how much I miss Mandy, Mark, Mika and David.

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

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

248. Oh Shit Man!

toilet paper, Gedera

Today I stepped in shit.

Which was followed by Ronnie saying, "Oh shit man!"

Which was followed by Sarah saying, "Ronnie's favorite expression is, 'Oh shit man."

Which was followed by me finding hearts on the toilet paper.

Which was followed by me saying, "I need to get my shit together!"

These hearts would love for others to get informed about colon cancer and its symptoms. Check out this site and check yourself out http://coloncancer.about.com/od/coloncancerbasics/a/colcansymptoms.htm

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

247. Thank You Again

collage of photos, Tel Aviv

Hearts found and captured.

Hearts rearranged.

Hearts sent to me -

Lots of hearts sent to me.

Feeling a little sad.

Feeling happy.

Hmmm....

Thank you again.

*Content © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

246. Natural Beauty

weeds, Tel Aviv

I met Michal the other night at a friend's birthday - she was quite enthusiastic about Levavot. Today, Michal sent me several hearts through our mutual friend, which for copyright reasons I cannot show you.

So, I bring you this very natural and I think beautiful heart I found today, whose copyright belongs to me.

As it is the thought that counts...Michal's heart would love for others to help feed the needy via Table to Table http://www.tabletotable.org.il/english/

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

245. Negative Space

leaves on a bush at night, Tel Aviv

In art, the space between and around the subject of an image is referred to as negative space.

The hole in this heart is a negative space.

This 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

244. No Fires, Just Hearts

fire extinguisher on boat, Marina, Herzeliya

Playing hookie and momentarily sailing away.

This heart reminds us that we can enjoy the ride as long as we take care.

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

243. Palm Hearts

soap, Tel Aviv

Part of a soap opera.

Thank you Brad.

Brad's heart would love for others to support Nkosis Haven which helps children and mothers with HIV/AIDS http://www.emc.co.za/nkosi/nkosi.html

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

242. Re: Connect

graffiti, Tel Aviv

Sometimes we must get broken to learn how to connect.

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