358. You Say Tomahto, I Say Tomato

tomato, Beersheba

A man makes Aliyah to the desert, and finds love in the fruit of the land.

Brad excitedly told me he found hearts in the tomahto - I say he found hearts in the tomato.

Brad's heart would love for others to support Tel fed http://www.telfed.org.il/

*Content © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

349. Praying for Love

silver 18th C. sidur (prayer book) cover, Diaspora Museum, Ramat Aviv

Today I joined a group of Olim (people who immigrated to Israel) on a tour of the Diaspora museum.

As they begin their journey of life in Israel, I am busy finding hearts and praying for love - gotta lev it!

If you too connect to your roots in Israel, and are considering making Aliyah (immigration to Israel), check out the Jewish Agency's web site http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Aliyah+Info

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. 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

233. Lightbulb Moment

digital camera, Tel Aviv

Brad had a lightbulb moment and decided to make Aliyah from South Africa!

Since creating this heart for me, Brad has captured many more hearts on his camera - Brad clearly sees the love in Israel - I love that!

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

223. Sam - Lesley University

rock, Lesley University, Natanya

The journey which lead me to Levavot began several years back at Lesley University, where I studied Expressive Therapy with a concentration in Art Therapy. Today that journey came full circle as I hung up Levavot's first exhibition at the University in Natanya.

When I arrived I went to visit Sam, a dear friend I met there, who I think might actually love Israel more than me.

Sam gave me this heart-shaped rock which his daughter Orly found at the Jersey Shore - Thank you!

This rock, like Sam and I, comes from abroad and loves being in Israel!

Sam's heart would love for others to contribute to The Malki Foundation in enabling the families of special needs children in Israel to choose home care http://www.kerenmalki.org/

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

219. Home Away from Home

rock, Tel Aviv

While Sylvio lives in Israel, he owns a piece of land in Brazil. Sylvio carries this heart-shaped rock with him to feel close to his home away from home.

In many ways Sylvio is like my rock, and I am so happy that he is building roots here close to me.

Sylvio's heart would love for others to contribute to the SPCA http://www.spca.org.il/english.php

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

205. Poyke

chocolate soufle in poyke, Jaffa

Poyke is a South African pot which cooks on a fire.

This poyke was the largest chocolate soufle I have ever seen. Apparently South Africans in Israel have big, sweet hearts!

This heart would love for others to support the South African Zionist Federation (Israel), Telfed http://www.telfed.org.il/

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

141. Shorashim (Roots)

tree root, Park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv

This heart seems to reflect the love I have for my roots in Israel.

If you too connect to your roots in Israel, and are considering making Aliyah (immigration to Israel), check out the Jewish Agency's web site http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Aliyah+Info

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

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/

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