346. Happy Birthday Miri

cardboard box, Caesarea

In a wizard of Oz inspired birthday gift - here represented the tin man's heart.

With everything in hand Miri needs only ckick her heels together and she will get where she needs to go!

Happy Birthday Miri!

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 2010. 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

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

163. Smores

smores, Achziv

This smore was a religious experience for the non-observant Jew on shabbat.

This heart loves the tradition of smores in the outdoors.

Happy Birthday Ronnie!

Ronnie's heart would love for others to contribute to Kvutzat Shekulo Tov (The group of all good) - an organization that helps mentally challenged people. You can purchase products made by them on the following site http://www.s-tov.org.il/

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

154. Tu B'av/ Amukah/ Birthday

plastic bag tied to tree branch, Amukah, Galilee

Amukah sits in a forest, and is the burial site of Rabbi Yonatan ben Uzziel. What better place to go on Tu B'av (Israel's love day) as this Rabbi is traditionally believed to bless the unmarried with finding a marriage partner.

Near the tomb I found a section of brightly colored trees where believers tie fabrics and plastic bags to the branches in the hopes of tying their own knot. It was in this colorful patch of the forest that I found my heart of the day.

This heart believes in love!

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

153. Early Celebration

almonds on cake, Modiin

Gali is one of my very special finds in Israel. Her curiosity, talents and modest wisdom inspire me on a regular basis, and I cherish our friendship very much.

Thank you Gali for these healthy hearts...I wish for....

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

150. African in Israel

African Grey's feathers, parrot farm, Kfar Hess

While this African Grey remained silent, the heart on its back spoke a thousand words.

This heart gave much love to Hilton on his 29th birthday - Happy Birthday Hilton!

Hilton's heart would love for others to help lone soldiers http://lonesoldiers.ning.com/

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

76. Wishing Daniella a Year Filled with Love

birthday candles, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Were it not for Daniella's birthday Yona would not have organized to bring a cake, and Shira would not have brought the candles. So, three wonderful women bring us today's hearts.

When something really touches our hearts it is forever. With that in mind:

Shira's heart cares about Hostel Nathan (see entry March 31, 2009)

Daniella's heart cares about Yuvalim http://www.yuvalim.org/ (see entry March 19, 2009)

Yona, who has not appeared in this blog before is an inspiring 61 year old woman - I hope to be half as sexy and feminine as she is when I get to her age. As a psychotherapist and sex councelor she tells me that her heart is connected to helping people with special needs http://nitzan-israel.org.il/main/siteNew/index.php?langId=3&page=335&sub=Brown

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

9. Happy Birthday!

Balloon, Rishon Letzion

These balloons covered with messages of happy birthday in Hebrew and English were found in an empty room, as though quietly waiting to wish their receiver a happy birthday.

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon them, and elated to read the message inscribed on the heart floating above, "Yesterday, Today, Always". This heart reminds us that we can love and be loved at any and every age - Now there's a reason to celebrate!

I wish to dedicate this post to Hugo who turns 6 today and my father who turns 70 tomorrow! For anyone reading this who has a birthday - Mazal Tov!

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