Hahmat Lev
A database and art of women's stories from Spain and the Middle East
The database of information and art has collected dozens of life stories of wise women. Stories that were passed down by word of mouth among families and communities, and most of them were never written down. The stories were collected through in-depth interviews with family members – daughters and sons, granddaughters and grandsons, nephews, students and close friends who lived near the women, experienced their values, wisdom and tradition while experiencing life and heard their words that accompanied this experience.
The 'Wisdom of the Heart' website opens a wide door to the world of women from many countries, especially from communities in North Africa, the Balkans, the Mediterranean Basin, Yemen, the Persian Gulf, the Caucasus Mountains, India, Italy, Spain, France, and the countries to which they migrated. The database recollects the memorial stones preserved by family members and relatives and makes the spiritual, moral, and cultural assets accessible to all of Israeli society, transforming them into heritage assets as part of today's Jewish and Israeli identity.
Each woman's story is presented in three performances in addition to a description of her life: an experiential narrative story - derived from one of the events in her life and connects readers to her character. An artistic portrait - a painting in a traditional or innovative technique of the woman's face while combining elements of her life, values, and the landscape of her homeland. Short testimonies collected from interviews with family members that illustrate the legacy that the woman left in their lives. The three performances create an encounter with the woman that is an experience similar to the experience in which the tradition, wisdom, and values of women were assimilated and which was the main way to pass them on.
Jewish tradition and values
The women, in their wisdom, their values, and their actions, were connected to the Jewish tradition in which they grew up and were educated. Every word or deed they spoke or did drew from the tradition and continued to create it for the generations that came after them. Their Jewish identity was the source of their leadership, vision, action, and unique spirit.
Eight floating entries from the dozens of life stories in the database of information and art:
- Stronger than the wind – Personal resilience and dealing with challenges while creating change.
- Love of the country – Immigrating to the Land of Israel and settling there out of love and a consciousness of redemption.
- Education and enlightenment – Developing educational and training channels out of concern for each and every individual.
- Torah study – Love for learning, investment and perseverance through choice and connection.
- leadership – Ability to see a vision and lead towards it.
- Medicine and balm – Unique healing abilities to relieve physical and mental pain.
- Charity and kindness – Kindness, charity, concern for the poor and needy, social responsibility and doing justice.
- Community – Community involvement, responsibility and caring while considering the individual and the whole.
Educational content on the Wisdom of the Heart website
The site inspires teachers and educators, learners and researchers who are interested in passing on the tradition of these women and telling their stories. It is a source of inspiration for creators, speakers, preachers, article writers, and media and communications professionals. The site enables the development of diverse educational content suitable for schools and informal education, for seminaries and communities in the areas of Jewish-Israeli identity, spirit and society, educational excellence, social change processes and leadership.
We thank all the relatives of the women who shared their stories with us.
To find wisdom of heart https://www.hachmatlev.org/
