360. Hearts in the Neighbor-Hood

hood of sweatshirt, Tel Aviv

Orit is my neighbor whom I am just now starting to get to know. This morning as I went to return the plates from the food she brought me I found her covered in hearts.

This neighbor's hood proves there is love in my neighborhood.

Orit's heart would love for others to support Mishelet Lev (Make-A-Wish Foundation of Israel), which helps grants wishes to children suffering from life threatening illnesses http://www.makeawish.org.il/index_en.asp

*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

356. Love in 2010

Facebook status, read in Tel Aviv

I saw this heart this morning with my morning coffee. Later in the day I met up with Shira at University and we spoke about the "news".

And I quote her:

"I told him, today putting up your status on facebook is more serious than moving in together".

I will fill you all in: they already live together. That is the beautiful essence of Shira.

Shira's heart is invested in Hostel Nathan, a rehabilitative community for mentally disabled adults in Ramat Gan. The hostel is currently undergoing renovations, and is in need of plants, art work for the walls, and curtains. If you would like to contribute to this project please contact Shira: 0524-618-338

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

350. Ups and Downs

light on elevator, Tel Aviv

Today I stayed home sick and ironically noticed this downward arrow in the shape of a heart on the elevator.

When feeling down remember the lift must come down to pick you up - Enjoy the ride!

This heart would love for others to support Yad Sarah in helping sick, disabled and elderly people and their families http://www.yadsarah.org/index.asp?id=198

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

348. Puppy Love

plastic, Tel Aviv

The morning after Valentine's day. I am on a walk with Hugo. As I pass a cafe I spot this heart on the ground. I stop to capture it. Another dog runs over to greet Hugo.

While I was busy with this heart Hugo and Ms. X were busy in love.

Hugo's heart would love for other to support SOS Pets Association http://www.sospets.co.il/16641/_About_SOS_Pets_Association

*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

345. Petel

petel (raspberry flavored water) at bottom of plastic bottle, Tel Aviv

I haven't thought of the word backwash since the 80's - Gotta love backwash!

This heart would love for others to recycle!

*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

342. Don't Burn Bridges

graffiti, park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv

Today a new friendship began with an old friend. Moments later I found this new heart graffiti on this old bridge.

Sometimes, even a relationship with lots of love can grow into a new and different love if you take the time and effort.

Asi's heart 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

340. Give us this Day our Daily Bread

bread, Tel Aviv

Ian's dreams have always seemed to be larger than life, and have have taken him all over the world. Today Ian is in Israel and we met for lunch and caught up on the past 18 months. It is beautiful to see that with lots of work a dream can in fact become your bread and butter.

Ian's heart would love for others to support Doctors Without Borders http://doctorswithoutborders.org/

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

339. Valentine's Day is Approaching

store window, Tel Aviv

Brad left the desert to come to the big city, this is what he found.

Thank you Brad for this heart.

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

*Content © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

338. "Odd Chicken"

Chicken, Tel Aviv

As I venture into the world of cooking I am having a dinner at my place tonight. The guinea pigs will be dining on curried chicken. At this stage, I make no promises about the taste, but this heart proves that this meal will be made with love.

A while after purchasing the ingredients I was speaking with Danielle (from yesterday's post), who frequently translates Hebrew expressions into English - I love when she spoke of someone as an "Odd Chicken".

This heart would love for others to ensure that those who are hungry can eat http://www.leket.org/english/

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

336. Take and Give

Chimichanga take away menu, Tel Aviv

It's been a long day - I came home tired and hungry. I hadn't yet photographed a heart, and was so happy to find this one waiting for me in my mail box.

This heart came to me. If I want what it has to offer I have to be active and then I will get it - it's a sure thing. This heart reminds us that in love we must give and take.

Now, the big question: Do I want it?

This heart from the Chimichanga take away menu would love for others to ensure that those who are hungry can eat http://www.leket.org/english/

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

334. Do not Judge a Man Until you have Walked in his Shoes

shoe prints in sand, Tel Aviv

These two crossed paths and formed a heart - I wonder if they even acknowledged one another up above?

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 2010. All Rights Reserved

333. Imprisoned Heart

bicycle lock, Tel Aviv

This heart is deceiving itself. While at first glance it appears to be open, a further look will reveal that it is locked shut, and grips on to bars of steal. This poor, terrified heart is imprisoning itself - How I wish I could help it take the risk to being open. Anyone out there got a key?

This heart would love for others to support the rehabilitation of prisoners http://www.migdalohrusa.org/service.html

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

330. A Soap Opera Waiting to Happen

bath soaps, package received from Switzerland, Tel Aviv

Merci Grandmaman for everything which was in this package - and for these hearts!

These hearts are a soap opera waiting to happen.

My grandmother's heart cares about helping abused children: http://www.eliusa.org/home.htm

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

329. Taking a Break

logo of a yoga game for kids, Tel Aviv

Sometimes we need a break:

I wanted someone to help me find today's heart.

Megi wanted to procrastinate studying for her exam tomorrow.

This heart was part of a win-win situation - all parties involved got the needed break!

Thank you Megi for sending me this heart.

Megi's heart would love for others to help those with learning disabilties via Partners with Parents http://partnerswithparents.co.il/articlenav.php?id=75#help

*Content © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

327. Letting Love In

hole in wall, Tel Aviv

To let love in we must break through the walls we have built up.

This heart broke through and is on its way to finding love.

This heart would love for others to know more about the separation fence dividing Israel from the West Bank http://www.securityfence.mod.gov.il/Pages/Eng/default.htm

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

323. The Joy of Hiding is Nothing Compared to the Fear of Never Being Found

faded bumper sticker, Tel Aviv

The joy of hiding is nothing compared to the fear of never being found.

This heart loves that it was found.

This heart seems to modestly says that if you dare to be present love will find you.

This heart would love for others to support The Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel http://www.survivors-holocaust.org/english.html

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

320. Keef

graffiti, Tel Aviv

Today it is raining in Israel - BIG TIME. I was happy to capture this heart close to my home which I had passed many times and saved for a rainy day.

Keef is the hebrew word for giving a high-five.

As I captured this heart I wanted to give it a keef!

This heart would love for others to support Israel at Heart in helping to promote a better understanding of Israel and its people http://www.israelatheart.org/aboutus.php

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