364. Love Conquers

flags, Modiin

When I saw these hearts waving proudly next to the flag of Israel I could hardly believe my eyes...Levavot: Hearts found throughout Israel...

Love Conquers!!!!

These hearts would love for others to help bring Gilad Shalit home. To sign the petition and find out more http://www.habanim.org/en/atzuma1_en.html

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

359. Captured Moving Hearts from Gadi

frame from a video clip, link sent to me in Tel Aviv

The first time I met Gadi while we barely exchanged words, I felt as though he spoke to my heart. I later discovered that this rare feeling was felt on both sides - something I still don't understand, and perhaps in there lies the beauty.

Nearly two years later Gadi sent me this video requesting that I use the hearts for my 359th levavot. For copyright reasons I bring you the still frame with the hearts. To view the video click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_xE47nypRM&feature=related

These sweet hearts are part of a fleeting moment, and when captured the experience is completely different.

Thank you Gadi for touching my heart - again.

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

*Content © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

354. Pouring our Hearts and Our Minds for the Sake of Love

ink on paper, Tel Aviv

Neta and I met up today for what I felt was the beginning of something great. With her background as a Dietician and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and myself an Expresssive Therapist and Sex Therapist, we poured our hearts and our minds into what will hopefully become one fantastic program to help individuals suffering from emotional eating and a negative body image (anyone interested can contact me at levavot.hearts@gmail.com).

As we chatted about other matters of the heart, Neta's six and a half year old daughter Lihi's heart-shaped picture found itself on Levavot - I lev it!

Lihi's heart would love for others to support sick children http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=91280798803&ref=nf

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

352. Separation Fence: Love Knows No Boundaries

In July 2009 I went to the Separation Fence at the border of Tul Qarem in search of a heart. The soldier at the post told me that in order to photograph I needed to have written permission. So began the months long process trying to obtain both the permission and the heart. MANY phone calls and e-mails later I bring you....Two hearts from the Separation Fence at the border of Tul Qarem.

letter requesting permission to photograph at Separation Fence

permission letter from army to photograph at Separation Fence

Heart #1 found by me

cement, Separation Fence, on the border of Tul Qarem

These hearts prove that while we might need to go through alot of bureacracy and red tape, in the end love can be had. So, if you want something bad enough go get it!

Natanel was the sweet soldier on guard this morning who took care of my unique request.

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

Heart#2 found by Perli

spray paint, Separation fence, on the border of Tul Qarem

Thank you Perli for accompanying me to the border.

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

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

347. I Lev This

graffiti, Tel Aviv

V-day - no heart from a sweetheart.

Nearing the end of Levavot - feeling a bit tired.

This heart reminds us to "know hope".

This heart was just perect for today.

To see more of the know hope artist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YjxTrY-zdk

Happy Valentine's Day!

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

344. Obvious Hearts

balloons, and other heart-shaped assortment, Tel Aviv

It's official, as I walked the city streets today Valentines day was taking center stage in the consumer's world. The hearts which are present every day suddenly become obvious to all, making people happy, sad, or indifferent - which are you?

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

335. Perli's Planner

calendar, cinema city, Ramat Hasharon

Thirty days to go, and something feels different - I feel my heart opening...

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

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

326. Crystal Clear

crystal on bench, Park Leumi, Ramat Gan

Mervyn sent me this picture and begged me to put it up today. Sometimes persistence gets you what you want.

This heart was just sitting on a bench, and without doing anything it landed up on Levavot blog - sometimes being passive will also get you far.

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

*Content © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

322. Romanticizing the Past

photograph of canoe, Modiin

When I initially began Levavot I set out to shed light on the love which is around us which we are so easily blind to. Never did I dream that people would take it so much further than that.

Today, Idit brought me this photo from her family album. Her daughter, who had seen Levavot and clearly got its message, got excited when she found this heart-shape which was standing beside them on a family vacation.

While I look for hearts in the present, Idit's daughter found love in her past.

Now I am wondering, can I find love in the future?

Idit's daughter's heart would love other to support (link to come).

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

238. Jerusalem Post

newspaper, Tel Aviv

Stop in the name of Love!

Thank you Jacob for taking the time to see the exhibition and write about it in today's Jerusalem Post....YAY!

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

236. Exhibition Opening - A Heart with many Faces

people, Lesley University, Natanya

At the Levavot exhibition opening I asked the people to get creative and make a heart for me....this is what the group came up with.

The group wanted their faces to be seen - So, I bring you a heart with many faces!

Thank you to all who came - you warmed my heart!

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