If you follow such things, you know that a small army of celebrity Kabbalists have arrived in Israel for the High Holidays: Madonna (now formerly known as Esther), her rabbi-roughing spouse Guy Ritchie, Hugh Jackman, Donna Karan, Demi, Ashton, their famlies and entourages…oy. The trip has been made out to be a pilgrimage for these newly faithful stars, who in a few short years have brought an ancient sect of Jewish mysticism to the front page of the fashion section. We were thinking their little celebrity junket sounded like a fine idea– promote Israel’s tourism p.r., pump a little cash into the economy– but now a darker, more serious reason for the trip has been divulged:
THEY ARE GOING TO BRING PEACE TO THE MIDDLE EAST.
Israeli blogger Harry at The View From Here has posted a press release from the Kabbalah center promoting a sort of “peace-in” Sunday, hosted by Michael Berg with said celebrities making speeches and such while Israeli and Palestinian children hold hands and sing along.
“September 19, 2004 will be an historic day for peace and unity. For the first time in history Palestinian and Israeli children, who have spent years separated by hate, prejudice, and fear, are coming together in Israel to say, “STOP, we’ve had enough, now it is OUR turn to be HEARD!'”
We love the thought, truly, but is this really how these celebrity Kabbalists believe they can make the most difference in the world? By using their hubris to stage sensationalist events that accomplish nothing but keep them in the news? Being arrogant enough to think the evil people responsible for the terror and violence of the Holy Land give two craps about what Madonna thinks?
We’d love to see peace in Israel, too, but gosh, no one listens to us. It’s just going to take a bit more than pop stars dancing under rainbows for it to happen. Then again, maybe we’re too jaded. Maybe Madonna and the Bergs and even doofy Ashton Kutcher have special Kabbalah powers that will brainwash all the suffering, angry, violent souls out there and the Messiah will come and it will be the best Rosh Hashanah ever, dude.
(Did you see Madonna at the Wall in ’04? Yo, she did her tefillin dance and everyone, like, hugged. It was awesome.
*sigh*.
Yo, Yenta!
From the edge of the Diaspora rises a new generation of Jewish mother
This is nauseating. I hope there are no bombs strapped to those peace-loving Palestinian children. I wouldn’t want Esther to get a piece of shrapnel in her ass.
On behalf of Esthers everywhere, I also hope none of us get shrapnel in our ass(es).
This shouldn’t surprise anyone–Madge’s been pro-peace for a long time. Need I quote?
“Holiday, celebration–come together from every nation.”
Shana tova.
Actually, I think Ashton Kutcher has a special herb that’ll probably help spread peace to some extent. Though it may be temporary, it’s worth a shot. And it may even help Israel’s lagging “munchies” industry over the short haul as well.
I could look at that picture all day! She is sooooooooo hot!
NukvaChavah
Great I belong to Kabbalah and it is real.
Shana Tova