Next to one of the star-studded parties after the annual Academy Awards, the best place to run into Hollywood celebrities may be at the Kabalah Learning Center in Los Angeles.
Kabalah, the mystical Jewish tradition dating back centuries, is attracting a growing number of stars in search of spiritual fulfillment and insights into the relationship between God and humans.
One such seeker is pop singer Madonna, who has been studying with the center’s senior teacher, Eitan Yardeni. Such is the Material Girl’s faith in her instructor that during her pregnancy she sought his advice on the best day to deliver her child.
Yardeni suggested the day of Rosh Chodesh, or New Month, and that’s the day Madonna gave birth to her daughter, Lourdes.
The Kabalah Learning Center is headquartered in Tel Aviv and has branches in the United States, South America, Canada, Mexico and France.
It has been attacked by mainstream rabbis who charge that the center teaches a superficial, pop version of the Kabalah without demanding any grounding in Talmudic studies. A number of disenchanted former members have accused the center of using high-pressure tactics to extract their money.
Despite the criticism, the center continues to attract celebrities, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Reputed disciples include; singers Barbra Streisand and Courtney Love; actors Elizabeth Taylor, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd and Sandra Bernhard; and designers Donna Karan and Isaac Mizrahi.
During Yom Kippur services at the center, television star Roseanne reserved an entire row for herself and her entourage.
But most of the spotlight has fallen on Madonna, who hosted a high-powered reception for potential recruits in September. She told her guests that although she was raised as a Catholic, nothing has affected her as much as her kabalah lessons, which have enabled her to take responsibility for her life.
But at this point, Madonna has not signaled any intention to formally convert to Judaism, according to her publicist and a spokeswoman for the Kabalah Learning Center.
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