GOSSIP:Don't Call Me Esther!

[Lena]

hmmm Madonna's mystics target British kids bit scary, artcile brom the guardian UK

A recruitment drive could prove popular with British children, however. Britney Spears and David Beckham have both been seen wearing the red bracelets while Naomi Campbell is a recent convert

 

[Sexed up]

Originally posted by Nemova@Aug 25 2004, 03:01 PM
Don't blame it on religion. Madonna is always running after a new publicity stunt, there's no way she could be genuine about judaism or any other faith for that matter. I'm always suspicious when someone is so clamorous about their conversion. Maybe someday she'll take her faith more seriously.

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If you ask me, i think she took it too far as it is...
And Kabbalists as well... 175$ for kabbalah water? Get real!

I also wish Tom Cruise would lay off scientology a bit...

 

[jennifer~]

Originally posted by Lena@Aug 29 2004, 04:28 PM
hmmm Madonna's mystics target British kids bit scary, artcile brom the guardian UK

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Do they know no bounds?

 

[Alejandro]

Originally posted by luna@Aug 24 2004, 02:08 PM
Typical. Yay! Religion is a trend.

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I was actually thinking this morning that when was she going to finish with all this crap. I mean, she made it look like a trend...I see everyone wearing that red string on their wrists, and when I ask them if they know what does that mean or whatever, they have no clue! they just say, oh Maddie wears it, I will follow her ***! ...

 

[hollyslookingdry]

I kind of feel bad. I can understand that they probably are taking advantage of her fame/wealth. I just hope that if she really did have a real interest in the Kabbalahistic beliefs that she won't turn her back based on the people involved. That's like saying "I am all for animal rights and was vegan, but I stopped because militant vegans are driving me crazy"

 

[Lena]

...More usually known for her raunchy outfits, Madonna's interest in Kabbalah became public when she was spotted wearing its traditional red string bracelet.

Since then, a string of high-profile celebrities including Britney Spears and Courtney Love have been seen sporting the bracelet.

The number of centres dedicated to the faith is continually growing, particularly in the US, where there are centres in many major cities. There are also centres in London and Paris.

On Sunday, Israeli Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra is expected to give Madonna an ancient oil lamp and a coin from the Byzantine period.

"There's no question having stars in the country is a wonderful way to show the world the wonders of our nation," said Rami Levi of Israel's Tourism Ministry.

from bbc on Madonna's upcoming visit to the Holy Lands
link to the article

 

[stylegurrl]

PHOTO BAN

Madonna is looking forward to a restful spiritual retreat in Israel after organisers of the holiday banned Jewish photographers from attending and asked all journalists to wear white. Explaining their decision, Kabbalah spokesperson Lior Horev said he didn't want to encourage Jews from breaking their religious rules over the holiday and that given everyone else would be wearing white, reporters should do the same so they wouldn't stand out. The Material Girl will spend three days on the retreat, which begins with a traditional blessing ceremony to welcome in the New Year. (15 September, 2004, 7AM) SOURCE: AFP

Glamour UK

 

[Acid]

well im sure she would prefer an oscar......but i guess an oil lamp will have to do

some people are paying $2000 to have dinner in the same room as her on that day its rediculous

 

[*AndoraStar*]

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) -- Israel was abuzz with excitement Wednesday over the arrival of Madonna, its biggest celebrity visitor in years.

The pop star came to the Holy Land on a spiritual quest, including visits to the graves of revered rabbinical sages. Yet some were perplexed by the raunchy diva's interest in the esoteric Jewish mysticism called cabala or Kabbalah, and rabbis said she had no business studying holy texts.

Raised a Roman Catholic, Madonna has adopted the Hebrew name Esther, wears a red thread on her wrist to ward off the evil eye and reportedly refuses to perform on the Jewish Sabbath. She also has incorporated Jewish symbols into some of her music videos, much to the consternation of religious leaders.

The organization hosting her in Israel ordered news reporters to wear white clothes and not to take notes when covering Madonna's appearances during the New Year's holiday, or Rosh Hashanah.

"This is entertainment, not Judaism," said Uri Orbach, a popular talk-radio host and Orthodox Jew. "I think the general public will celebrate this, but the religious public will be indifferent."

Madonna and friends flew into Tel Aviv Wednesday evening on a private jet and drove straight to their downtown hotel in a convoy of limousines escorted by police. They did not speak to journalists, who were kept well away from the celebrities.

Fashion designer Donna Karan and Marla Maples, an ex-wife of Donald Trump, were other celebrities among some 2,000 students from 22 countries, according to the Kabbalah Center, sponsor of the trip. The Los Angeles-based center teaches Jewish mysticism as a spiritual tool regardless of religion.

Liora Goldenberg-Stern, a culture writer at the Maariv newspaper, said Madonna would be welcomed by Tel Aviv's rich and famous, which has embraced cabala. "It's a social thing, very trendy," she said.

Madonna's picture appeared on the Maariv back page, while the mass circulation Yediot Ahronot announced the visit on the front page.

Inside Yediot, a half-page spread included a photo of Madonna's luxury hotel suite as well as the special holiday meal she would be eating, including salmon mousse, steak and chicken in mustard sauce and honey cake.

Madonna was not scheduled to perform during the five-day visit. Earlier this year, she canceled three Israel concerts, citing security concerns after Israel assassinated the leader of the Hamas militant group.


A protester has a message for Madonna.
Israeli police spokesman Gil Kleiman said more than 1,000 officers were being deployed to protect the Kabbalah delegation, although no special precautions were being taken for Madonna, who has a private security detail.

On Sunday, Israeli Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra is expected to give Madonna an ancient oil lamp and a coin from the Byzantine period. The ministry also hopes to use images of Madonna to promote the country abroad.

But not everyone was so welcoming.
A small group of peace activists demonstrated at Rachel's Tomb in the West Bank -- one of the stops on Madonna's itinerary -- to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians living under Israeli military rule.

"I hope she's aware of where she is going," said Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, one of the protesters.

The itinerary also includes stops at the Western Wall in Jerusalem; the northern city of Safed, a center of Kabbalah; Rachel's Tomb, the traditional burial place of the biblical matriarch; and the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, author of the Zohar, the core text of Kabbalah.

Rabbi Yaakov Silber of the Merkaz Harav Jewish seminary in Jerusalem said it was hard to imagine a rabbi would be willing to teach Madonna.

He said religious study frowns upon raunchy, materialistic values the singer has promoted in the past.

"Maybe she has changed," he said.

 

[Sugo]

I'm assuming she thoroughly studied the texts that come BEFORE the kaballah, right? The ones that people spend their whole lives studying.

 

[faust]

Originally posted by Sugo@Sep 16 2004, 11:29 AM
I'm assuming she thoroughly studied the texts that come BEFORE the kaballah, right? The ones that people spend their whole lives studying.

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I think she got the cliff notes.

 

[Sugo]

I think she got the cliff notes.