Now, it seems, Madonna is asking some tough questions about the Centre's use of her generous donations.
Madonna has reportedly fallen out with Kabbalah leader Rabbi Berg.
The singer, who is a devout follower of the mystical Jewish faith, is said to be querying how the religion is spending the vast amounts of money she has donated and is demanding a detailed account of how it has been used.
Previous posts:
The Kabbalah
Like a Persian
Madonna, as I've said before, is probably much more intelligent than the media give her credit for. I think her spirituality is genuine too, and for that reason I see her association with the Kabbalah Centre as a step down for her, not a step up. It's sad that she doesn't have access to more authentic spiritual resources. As a woman, she almost certainly faces unconscious prejudice from even well-intentioned male teachers. As a celebrity, she simply doesn't have access to places like my old shul, Congregation Knesseth Israel of San Francisco, which I described here. So she works with what she has - and in this case, perhaps, discovers its limitations.
Whatever the truth about the Kabbalah Centre may be, I hope that Madonna Ciccone will continue her spiritual quest. The traveller should not abandon her journey, even if she finds she has been led astray.
