Madonna appeals for world peace at Israel concert

Published on June 1, 2012

Launching her world tour in Israel, Madonna appealed for Middle East and world peace.

Liberation

By David Suissa
Published on April 4, 2012

It’s fashionable to look at Passover as a universal idea. This makes sense; after all, how much more universal can you get than the theme of human freedom? Also, it’s a lot easier these days to be outer-directed and feel outrage at injustice.

Madonna to perform ‘Concert for Peace’ in Israel

Published on March 22, 2012

International pop star Madonna, who will launch her upcoming world tour in Israel, has added a second concert date in Tel Aviv for a "Concert for Peace."

Madonna and Moore lean on Kabbalah

By Lauren Bottner
Published on November 23, 2011

Roseanne Sings Israeli National Anthem—And It’s Good! [VIDEO]

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on July 5, 2011

Will Britney Become Jewish?  Has She?

By Rob Eshman
Published on July 14, 2009

Michael Jackson and the Jews

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 30, 2009

Michael Jackson’s life was full of contradictions, and his relationship to Jews and the Jewish community was no exception.

After-School Kabbalah Comes to LAUSD Campuses

By Rachel Heller
Published on April 2, 2009

Along with homework time, crafts and supervised games, grade school students in several Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools this spring are getting something different at their after-school programs: spiritual awareness.

Kabbalah Centre sues alternative community

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on October 2, 2008

MUSIC VIDEO: Ori Murray—‘Rosh Hashanah Rap’

By The Web Guy
Published on September 30, 2008

The Matrix, the Kotel, the Days of Awe are all linked in this music video from Ori Murray shot in Jerusalem.

Lindsay Lohan converting to Judaism?

By Danielle Berrin
Published on August 15, 2008

Kabbalah ruined A-Rod, former trainer says

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on July 8, 2008

Kabbalah blamed for A-Rod marital breakup

Published on July 8, 2008

A former trainer for Alex Rodriguez said the star ballplayer's interest in Kabbalah caused the break-up of his marriage.

Briefs: Drug and immigration bust at kosher meat plant, Israel says no Hamas truce without Schalit

Published on May 15, 2008

Briefs

VIDEO: Sarah Silverman explains kabbalah

By Dennis Wilen
Published on May 11, 2008

Annapolis, Chanukah, Jerusalem, Not So Weird

Published on December 13, 2007

Letters to the Editor

Variety of books pave way for understanding kabbalah

By Amy Klein
Published on December 6, 2007

Historically, rabbis have proclaimed that in order to study kabbalah, one has to be a learned Jewish man older than of 40. So imagine how surprised those rabbis would be today if they could peruse a modern bookstore: There are now a plethora of tomes on the subject, making kabbalah available to the layperson -- male, female, Jew and non-Jew -- the dummy and idiot alike (which is it better to be?).

Sarah Silverman explains kabbalah [video]

By Dennis Wilen
Published on November 30, 2007

Briefs: Does L.A. matter to N.Y. Jews? Is ‘The Secret’ kosher? Why can’t we all get along?

By Amy Klein
Published on October 18, 2007

Community briefs.

In defense of Madonna

By Lisa Frydman Barr
Published on September 27, 2007

Many of those holier-than-thous who are bad-mouthing Madonna were once themselves on the wrong side of the tracks before they rediscovered Judaisim

Letter from Tangier: Preserving the music of the Jews of Morocco

By Vanessa Paloma
Published on September 13, 2007

I am in Morocco for five months on a Senior Fulbright award from the State Department and the Moroccan government, researching Judeo-Spanish songs from Northern Morocco for their connection to liturgical poetry and kabbalistic practices.

Safed banking on Rosh Hashanah visitation by Madonna

By Larry Luxner
Published on August 30, 2007

When it comes to spirituality, Safed lacks nothing. But the Israeli mountain town (also spelled Tzfat) has been struggling economically since last year's war with Hezbollah. That's why local tourism authorities are hoping a Rosh Hashanah visit by the Material Girl will bring real material benefits to its 30,000 residents. Madonna, returning to Israel for the first time since September 2004, plans to visit Safed - the world center of Jewish mysticism - along with Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and other points of interest as part of a tour being organized by the Los Angeles-based Kabbalah Centre.

VIDEO: The Bible Code: hoax or holiness?

By The Web Guy
Published on August 4, 2007

Meditation—not just for your average JewBu anymore

By Merissa Nathan Gerson
Published on July 19, 2007

The model for the day was dying for the sake of rebirth. Think meditation, think spiritual awakening, think psychoanalysis.

Lawyer makes case for answering rabbinical school call

By Peter L. Rothholz
Published on April 26, 2007

And yet despite these avocations, the 40-something Kenneth Klee said he felt there was something missing in his life. He's now studying for his smicha, or ordination, as a rabbi, which he intends to compliment his sideline as a spiritual counselor.

Kabbalah boom prompts meeting of mystical minds

By Brigid Brett
Published on December 28, 2006

Although all the presenters were united by their passion for the study and practice of Kabbalah, the most observable differences lay in their approaches as to how Judaism's most sacred and intimate teachings should be disseminated.

Learning With the Learned; Virtual Hartman Institute; Jewish Law Course Offers CLE Credit

Published on November 2, 2006

Briefs

New ‘Encyclopedia Judaica’ goes from Aachen to Zyrardow

By Peter Ephross
Published on October 26, 2006

The new "Encyclopaedia Judaica" is to be published Dec. 8 by Macmillan Reference USA and Israel's Keter Publishing. The 22 volumes contain more than 21,000 entries on Jewish life.

7 Days in the Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on September 21, 2006

7 Days in the Arts

P. F. Sloan:  does he still believe we’re on the ‘Eve of Destruction’?

By Steven Rosen
Published on September 21, 2006

"Eve of Destruction" by P. F. Sloan.

Psalm-Thing to Sing About in New Album

By Karla S. Blume
Published on June 29, 2006

Haruach sings with a modesty and softness that enhances the simple and good-natured spiritual messages of her songs. That, in itself, is an unusual trait, because audiences have come to expect artists who make spiritual/new age, religious music to have overproduced studio performances.

Unraveling the Red String

By Amy Klein
Published on June 8, 2006

Around the Pico-Robertson neighborhood -- and the city -- the standard lectures were being given on topics ranging from the Book of Ruth to Israel, but something off the beaten path was taking place on Robertson Boulevard in a lecture at Anshei Emet Synagogue. The subject was "Kabbalah and the Red String."

Make Days Count

By Rabbi Toba August
Published on May 11, 2006

When I was in my early 30s I joined a havurah, a group of professionals seeking a deeper Jewish involvement. And during this time of year, just after Passover, we didn't know what to do with the counting of the Omer. How could we make it relevant and purposeful?

Spectator - What It Looks Like From Here

By Gaby Friedman
Published on May 4, 2006

Biting off more than most of us can chew, husband and wife authors Joel R. Primack and Nancy Ellen Abrams have taken on the enormously ambitious task of tackling that age-old question: How did the world get here, and does our existence really matter? Their new book, "The View From the Center of the Universe, Discovering our Extraordinary Place in the Cosmos" (Riverhead Books, 2006), uses cosmology -- the astrophysical study of the history and structure of the universe - to meld "Meaning" and science to reach a greater understanding of the origins of life.

‘Pretty’ Prime Minister?

By Tom Tugend
Published on May 4, 2006

Scene and heard.

Roseanne Shares Secrets and Jibes

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 23, 2006

Roseanne Barr says she has two secret ambitions. One is to celebrate the bat mitzvah she never had as a youngster growing up in Salt Lake City. The other is to become prime minister of Israel, a sort of Golda Meir II.

A Woman’s Touch

By Rabbi Karen Deitsch
Published on March 23, 2006

The stereotypical Jewish woman is strong, supportive, receptive and respected. Growing up, she is showered with love, pampered by objects and experiences of beauty and quality. She keeps a welcoming home. She attends to detail, wants what she wants and is unapologetically "high maintenance." She is wise, and capable of keen manipulation. She is emotional -- following her heart more than her mind. She is nurturing, loyal, generous and willing to sacrifice. She finds total fulfillment only when she has balanced her work with marriage (preferably to a doctor or lawyer) and children. Most significantly, she loves receiving beautiful clothing, fine perfume and dazzling jewelry.

Nation & World Briefs

Published on February 9, 2006

Briefs

Spectator - Musical Mystery of Letters

By Robert David Jaffee
Published on January 5, 2006

Guitarist and composer Adam Del Monte has the musical sophistication and spiritual depth to explore Jewish mysticism beyond the trendy or superficial.

Madonna and the Elusive Isaac

By Gaby Friedman
Published on December 1, 2005

Now, on her latest album "Confessions on a Dance Floor," the track that is receiving the most attention and critical acclaim is one called "Isaac." About a month before the CD's release on Nov. 15, rabbis in Israel claimed the song was about Rabbi Isaac Luria, the 16th-century kabbalist better known as the Arizal, and they blasted Madonna for using his holy name for profit.

Fraud Arrest at Kabbalah Centre

By Tom Tugend
Published on November 10, 2005

Tel Aviv police have arrested the director of the Israel Kabbalah Centre, following complaints that he had fraudulently exploited a dying cancer patient and her husband.

Kabbalah and the Modern Shrink

By Gaby Friedman
Published on October 6, 2005

Since the early 1990s, Rabbi Abner Weiss, former rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation and current rabbi at the Westwood Village Synagogue, has been using kabbalistic tools in his psychology practice. Recently, he published "Connecting to God, Ancient Kabbalah and Modern Psychology," a book that asserts the congruity of the two disciplines.

7 Days in The Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on September 8, 2005

7 Days in the Arts

Letters

Published on June 30, 2005

Letters

TV Probes Kaballah

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 23, 2005

Is the celebrity-studded Kabbalah Centre bringing the benefits of age-old Jewish mysticism and learning to the masses, or is it a multimillion-dollar family enterprise scamming the gullible?

That basic question, raised with growing frequency and ever-larger headlines in recent years, was given a surprisingly well-balanced national airing last week on the ABC-TV newsmagazine, "20/20."

Got Sababa?

By Keren Engelberg
Published on May 12, 2005

More fashion for a cause? You betcha. After all, why "Livestrong" when you could "Get Sababa?"

Lance Armstrong's yellow "Livestrong" bracelets to benefit his cancer foundation are already passé. But hoping to start a fashion craze of her own, 27-year-old Traci Szymanski has launched Get Sababa, a clothing line in progress, complete with the now-requisite rubber-band bracelets. (Hers are blue-and-white tie-dye.)

Holy Knots

By Esther Hecht
Published on December 30, 2004

My 90-year-old mother-in-law, who was born in Jerusalem, says that when she was a child no one had heard of red string. It was red ribbon then, and a bit was tied around her wrist after she recuperated from typhus.

Kabbalist Theory of Everything

By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein
Published on December 16, 2004

"Derech Hashem -- The Way of God" by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Feldheim, 1997).

Quietly studying a page of the Talmud on a crowded plane, the great Orthodox teacher and thinker Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik was interrupted by a passenger in the next seat.

"Pardon me. What is that you are studying?" the man asked.

Soloveitchik explained the nature of the Talmud, and that he was a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University.

The man was incredulous. "Do you mean that people spend their entire lives thinking about religion?" he asked. "Why, I thought that all of religion could be succinctly summarized as 'Do unto others what you would have them do unto you'!"

False Promises in Berg’s ‘Becoming’

By Rabbi David Wolpe
Published on December 16, 2004

I have never been to the Kabbalah Centre, never studied with one of their teachers, and cannot comment on their practices. My sole direct exposure was to watch a videotape produced by the center, "The Power of Kabbalah: A Documentary," from 1996, in which they claim, among other things, credit for producing the Oslo accords -- credit which they may be presently inclined to disavow. But no matter. I spent an infuriating hour reading "Becoming Like God" by Rabbi Michael Berg. If I can succeed in persuading one person not to buy this confused, contradictory, intellectually disreputable and Jewishly perverse volume it will be well worth the exasperation.

You Go, (Material) Girl!

By Joan Hyler
Published on September 30, 2004

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of spending some time with high-level members of the Knesset. Much was on the agenda: security, elections, the wall, the settlements and Madonna's proposed trip to Israel. These leaders were abuzz with the possibility that she would be coming to Israel and now that she has, I say to her, "You go, girl!"

Our Madonna

By Rob Eshman
Published on September 23, 2004

Madonna's just-completed visit to Israel has been called a lot of things: scandalous, threatening, inspiring, encouraging, cheap.

Your Letters

Published on September 2, 2004

Your Letters

Into the Mystic

By David Klinghoffer
Published on January 29, 2004

Marcus Weston is a thin, good-looking Londoner who in his casual attire and unobtrusive kippah could pass for typical Pico-Robertson Modern Orthodox guy. On this cool Tuesday night in December, he offers his audience a reassuring smile.

Dude, Where’s My Kabbalah?

By Gaby Wenig
Published on September 4, 2003

It's official. The Kabbalah Centre has usurped the Church of Scientology's status as Hollywood's hottest creed of choice. These days, it seems like every celeb looking to add meaning to his or her glittering but empty life of fame and fortune is joining the red-string-wearing, holy-water-selling, quasi-Jewish group.

Kabbalah Fashion Statement

By Mica Rosenberg
Published on January 23, 2003

David Shamouelian believes he has tapped into what he thinks is a sure-fire marketing tool: 4,000 years of Jewish mysticism.

A Kabbalistic Material Girl

By Gaby Wenig
Published on October 31, 2002

Madonna doesn't like to explain her music videos, but in her newest one, "Die Another Day" (the title track for the soon-to-be-released James Bond movie), while wearing a dirty, white tank top she sneeringly sings to the camera, "Analyze this, Analyze this." So we will.

Against the Stream

By Gaby Wenig
Published on July 25, 2002

It's 10 a.m. on Shabbat at The Kabbalah Centre on Robertson Boulevard and the crowds are starting to converge in anticipation of the Torah reading.

My Mystical Road Back to Judaism

By Jamie Kiffel
Published on July 25, 2002

I entered the tea-scented room, took a yoga mat and joined a circle of 20-somethings seated on the hardwood floor.

Kabbalah for the Masses

By Pinchas Giller
Published on July 25, 2002

In recent years, there have been a number of modest volumes that are aimed at presenting a representative selection of readings from the mystical classic, the Zohar.

Running With the Wolf

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on November 22, 2001

It used to be said that kabbalah should only be studied by the very old or very learned, otherwise it could inspire madness. In his book "Practical Kabbalah: A Guide to Jewish Wisdom in Everyday Life," Rabbi Laibl Wolf attempts both to dispel the mythology surrounding this ancient, mystical teaching and to demonstrate its necessity for those of us living in the modern world.