levavot

Sunday, January 31, 2010

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

Saturday, January 30, 2010

332. No Butts about it, I Love This Dog

fur on Hugo's backside, Gedera

No butts about it, I love this dog!

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

Friday, January 29, 2010

331. Tu B'Shevat

detail from metal sculpture made by Yoma Segev, scultpture garden, Gedera

Today is Tu B'Shevat, the celebration for the new year of the trees. Ronnie and I took a drive around Gedera to honor the greenery, and so came across this quaint sculpture garden. After capturing this heart we went to buy some dried fruit and wine, and so celebrated the holiday in traditional Israeli fashion.

This heart, made of horse heads looking at eachother face to face tells us that we must dare to let others see us to let love in.

This heart would love for othesr to support the History Museum of Gedera http://ilmuseums.com/museum_eng.asp?id=74

Thursday, January 28, 2010

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

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

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

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

328. Virtual Coffee with Daniela

coffee with milk, Tel Aviv

Daniela sent me this heart today with the following text attached:

"Have a nice day ;-) ! Miss you..."

The next best thing to coffee with Daniela is virtual coffee with Daniela -with a heart!

Daniela's heart would love for others to support Yuvalim http://www.yuvalim.org/

Monday, January 25, 2010

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

Sunday, January 24, 2010

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

Saturday, January 23, 2010

325. Hand Painted Hearts for Me

acrylic on canvas, Raanana

Today Perli gave me this original, hand painted work of art - am I the luckiest person?!

Solid, glowing, pulsating, rainbow proud, broken and separate, metalic and protected, each one of these 15 hearts is an absolute treasure, and when put together I am in love!

Thank you Perli for bringing me this gorgeous work of art from South Africa.

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

Joel is the artist who created this work.

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

Friday, January 22, 2010

324. Hummus Hearts

ceramic bowls, Givataiim

Tonight at Vered and Hilton's we got to the heart of many matters - I am blessed with amazing people I can call my friends and my family.

Thank you Vered and Hilton for your love and these "hummus hearts", as Hilton called them.

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

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

Thursday, January 21, 2010

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

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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).

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

321. Corrective Experience

plastic bowl, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

As a child Avi's mother would hide raisins from him because he loved them so much there would be none left for her cakes. Today, a grown man, a Couples Therapist and Sex Councelor, Avi looked like a little kid happy as pie, as he sat with a handful and shared this story with me.

For Avi these raisins served in a heart-shaped bowl were a corrective experience - Beteavon (Bon Appetit)!

Avi's heart would love for others to support Maagan in supporting victims of cancer and their families http://www.cancer.org.il/template/default.asp?textSearch=&maincat=43&catid=493&pageid=4484

Monday, January 18, 2010

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

Sunday, January 17, 2010

319. Ima Ruti

silicone cookie dish, Tel Aviv

Megi's mother, Ruti, AKA Ima Ruti (translation: Mother Ruti), is one of the most phenomenal cooks I have come across. She puts the triple X in excess, as each decadent bite of her creations is sinfully tasteful.

As Ima Ruti will turn 60 on Wednesday, today I bought her this itty bitty contribution of love for her kitchen....I salivate at the thought of what she will do with it!

Yaffa was the kind saleswoman who helped me find this dish.

Yaffa's heart would love for others to support ELEM in helping youth in distress http://www.elem.org/index.php

Saturday, January 16, 2010

318. Turned On

fountain, Tel Aviv

I often pass this heart-shaped fountain, but it is rare to see it turned on.

This morning this heart was turned on.

This heart would love for others to learn more on sex education and sexuality http://www.dinahproject.com/

Friday, January 15, 2010

317. Do We Really Have Such Control?

street art, Tel Aviv

We are not born with a lock - what happened to this poor heart?

This heart would love for others to support Al-Sam in the fight against drug abuse in youth and children http://www.alsam.org.il/about.asp?id=8

Thursday, January 14, 2010

316. Between a Rock and a Hard Place

leaf, Herzeliya

This heart literally sits between a rock and a hard place. I can't help but feel sorry for it, but at the same time I have faith that when the timing is right it will allow the wind to take it to a softer and more pleasant place.

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

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

315. Niki

candy dish, thrift shop, Boca Raton, Florida,

received in Tel Aviv

Niki and I were flat mates in college, and thanks to facebook we reconnected. I love that she and her daughter Lily were inspired by Levavot and have found many hearts together which get posted in her photo albums.

Today I opened my facebook account to find that Niki tagged me to this image, which reads Israel on the top.

Just like this candy dish Niki has a big heart which is full of love and sweetness, and I am so happy we are back in touch!

Niki's heart would love for others to support SOS Children's Villages - Florida http://www.sosflorida.com/

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

314. Tamar

business card, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Tamar is a Family, Couples and Sex Therapist. In keeping with Jewish beliefs against idolatry, Tamar found a way to represent people in love without portraying actual people in her business card.

This heart keeps within Jewish tradition, and loves without idols.

Tamar's heart would love for others to support the rape crisis center for religious women in Jerusalem http://ccrw.1202.org.il/template/default.asp?siteId=8

Monday, January 11, 2010

313. Love After a Break Up

mosaic, hanging in a school, Modiin

Sometimes we need to put the pieces together to find love again.

This heart would love for others to support Natal, Israel's trauma center for victims of terror and war http://www.natal.org.il/english/

Sunday, January 10, 2010

312. Playful Heart

plastic game, playground, Tel Aviv

This heart loves to play.

This heart would love for others to help abused children via the Israel Association for Child Protection http://www.eliusa.org/home.htm

Saturday, January 9, 2010

311. Hungry Heart

sculpture, Tel Aviv

I spotted this sculpture while in the car, so I am not sure what it stands for. From a distance it looks like a heart with teeth.

This heart overlooking the Mediteranean looks like a hungry heart.

Friday, January 8, 2010

310. It's a Wrap

foil candy wrapper, Marina, Herzeliyah

It's a Wrap.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

309. My Heart is on Fire

grill in oven, Tel Aviv

Today my new oven got used for the first time - Halleluyah!

This heart loves that I can finally cook nutritious and delicious food!

This heart would love for others to support Leket Israel in helping to feed the hungry http://www.leket.org/english/

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

308. Witness

silver earring, Modiin

Idit shared with me that she was about to put on hoop earrings today, and then thought of Levavot and put on these hearts instead...after hearing this story how could I possibly leave these out?

Being an Art Therapist these hearts dangling from Idit's ears hear many stories throughout the day, and like Idit they seem to lovingly listen.

Idit's heart would love for others to support Melabev in caring for people with Alzheimers http://www.melabev.org/posts/55

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

307. Knee Deep in Love

socks, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Pnina, whose name means Pearl is one of the first people who I asked to pose as she wanted for my camera. I had complete faith that this absolute gem of a woman would provide me with the perfect image - Pnina most certainly delivered!

This strong, confident and sexy woman proudly shows us her hearts. As a couples therapist and organizational advisor Pnina's hearts stand together in love as they are organized in their rows.

Pnina's hearts would love for others to support (link to come)

Monday, January 4, 2010

306. Gourmet

some sort of food, Eilat

While on a romantic escapade Gali and Rami found these...Lovely!

Thanks Gali and Rami.

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

Rami's heart would love for "those who wish to donate, would multiply their donation by 10 and invest in any investment that they feel is a good one. Then, they should continuously donate 20% of their profits to any good cause, but only those which do not put good people in danger."

Sunday, January 3, 2010

305. Jesus Loves You

silver candle stand, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

(beside the anointing stone), Jerusalem

The anointing stone is traditionally believed to be the place where Jesus was laid to rest after being removed from the cross. Beside this stone I found these hearts.

These hearts would love for others to donate to the Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem http://www.cfijerusalem.net/index.php?id=2.3

Saturday, January 2, 2010

304. Love from the Dead Sea

black mud, Dead Sea

Right back at ya!

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

Friday, January 1, 2010

303. Shabbat 2010

candle, Gedera

Pitch meets Burke.

Thank you Ronnie for a stunning evening.

Shabbat Shalom.

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/

Thursday, December 31, 2009

302. I Wish, I Wish Upon the Wishing Bridge

tree, Jaffa

The wishing bridge instructs me to hold my zodiac sign and look at the sea.

I see the sea, and I see a heart...hmmmmm....

Happy New Year to all!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

301. Travelling Hearts

stones, taken in Durban and received in Tel Aviv

Collected by children.

Captured by a grown child.

Received by a hopeless romantic.

Shared with all.

Enjoy!

Thank you Nicole for helping these hearts travel the world.

Nicole's heart loves (to come)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

300. Pearls of Wisdom

candles, Tel Aviv

Jo seems to get more and more radiant each time I see her. This image seems to perfectly reflect the beauty which Jo possesses - with the hands representing doing, and the candles being - inner balance shines through in this woman.

Thank you Jo for your pearls of wisdom and these candles.

Jo's heart would love for others to contribute to osteosarcoma http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/guide2o.htm

Monday, December 28, 2009

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

Sunday, December 27, 2009

298. 3 Hearts

silver pendant, Tel Aviv

This heart like Alex came from Durban South Africa, and both will be with me for the next 10 days - I love that!

Thank you Alex!

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

Saturday, December 26, 2009

297. Cupid

chalk on sidewalk, Park Hayrkon, Tel Aviv

These hearts which have been pierced with Cupid's arrow are in love, and are taken in all different directions - This is what makes love so exciting, wonderful and terrifying at the same time.

These hearts warn us and dare us to take the plunge.

These hearts would love for others to support the Jewish Agency in helping to transform the lives of children at risk in Israel http://www.jafi.org.il/projects/risk.htm

Friday, December 25, 2009

296. Dionysos

wood bar, Herzeliyah Pituach

When the bar is heart-shaped the evening has great potential.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

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

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

294. Hearts Breaker

sock, Modiin

Tehila is an Art Therapist and colleague whose classical beauty exudes an earthiness and silent wisdom. When she heard of my project initially, Tehila's instictive reply was that she does not like hearts. Ironically, Tehila has seen quite a few hearts since then.

This silver and shining heart claims to be a heartbreaker.

Tehila's heart would love for others to support Mavoi Satum with agunot, helping Jewish women who are struggling to obtain a get (divorce document) from their husbands http://mavoisatum.org/

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

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

Monday, December 21, 2009

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/

Sunday, December 20, 2009

291. Modest and Generous Love

sweatshirt, Modiin

Ronni is a national service volunteer at a nursery school for children with PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder). These tiny hearts on her sweatshirt nearly blend into their background, modestly and generously spreading love, much like Ronni.

Ronni's heart would love for others to support Alyn Hospital, a pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation center http://www.alyn.org/

Saturday, December 19, 2009

290. Sufganiyah

sufganiyah, Gedera

Hanukkah, which ends today, celebrates the miracle associated with the temple oil. As a result Jews around the world spend 8 days having an absolute love hate relationship with fried food.

The sufganiyah, which in Israel resembles a regular doughnut, reminds me of when I was young and my family would go to Dunkin' Doughnuts for dinner. My parents would get a dozen doughnuts and every person could choose three. If sufganiyot are related to miracles - it's a miracle I am alive after that!

This heart oozes with sweet love, and will be deeply missed until next year.

This heart would love for others to support Leket Israel in helping to feed the needy http://www.tabletotable.org.il/english/

Friday, December 18, 2009

289. Hanukkah: Urban Lights

fluorescent light, Tel Aviv

As it is Hanukkah, the festival of lights, I thought this image sent to me by Galit today was most appropriate.

Thank you Galit for this heart.

Chag Sameach (happy holidays) to all!

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

Thursday, December 17, 2009

288. Singing in the Rain

wet leaf on pavement, Haifa

Daniela sent me this one today with the following text attached:

"It's raining...the love is coming ;-) "

Amen!

Thank you Daniela.

Daniela's heart would love for others to support Yuvalim http://www.yuvalim.org/

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

287. Quenching

paper, Tel Aviv

I am back in Israel, and can already feel the love and generosity as I open my inbox to find this image sent to me by Sarah. Sarah is a fellow blogger, muti-cultural Israeli and art lover.

Sarah's hearts placed on a Coca Cola machine quench our thirst for more hearts, as her blog post from today informs us of an art exhibition entitled "Perhaps the Heart" http://www.ohsoarty.com/

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

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

286. Dejeuner chez Ninon (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

wooden chair, Geneva

I am so going to miss the good coffee here...Au revoir La Suisse, et merci Ninon!

Ninon's heart would love for others to support WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization). To find out how you can get involved http://www.towizo.org/htmls/Home.aspx

Monday, December 14, 2009

285. Raclette (Hearts Travel to Switzerland)

raclette, Les Armures, Vieille ville de Geneve (Geneva)

This evening I wined and dined where Bill and Hillary Clinton tasted Raclette when they visited Switzerland.

My wonderfully energetic, beyond hospitable, and most up to date great aunt Ninon created this infamously tasty Swiss heart for me.

Thank you Ninon for this heart and so much, much more!