All details of Madonna’s speech from the Jerusalem Post
Madonna was the center of attention at Sunday night’s Spirituality For Kids (SFK) in Israel foundation gala dinner, held at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv.
The guest of honor, however, tried to move the focus to the Kabbalah Center-sponsored foundation.
Madonna was toasted by everyone from Karen and Michael Berg, leaders of the US Kabbalah Center, via a recorded message, to her guru, Eitan Yardeni, to the night’s host, TV personality Dan Shilon. After a standing ovation, Madonna took the microphone and presented a prepared speech promoting SFK.
“We’re teaching children about the laws of cause and effect. We’re teaching them that for every action there’s a reaction. We’re teaching them the concept of responsibility,” read the singer, who is the mother of two.
“We teach children what we’re trying to learn as adults. The difference is children are more open, they are more alive, they are more pure, and they do not see the world in a fragmented way. They are closer to God.”
She went on: “When a child sees another child they just want to play. They’re not thinking, ‘Oh, he’s Muslim’ or ‘she’s a Jew.’ They do not judge one another by the color of their skin or the style of their headdress. It’s adults that put these ideas into children’s heads.”
Madonna also made reference to the Kabbalah Center’s holiday conference, noting that despite the media attention she has garnered here, she is really just like everyone else. “I am not here representing a religion or any religious group. I’m here as a student of Kabbala,” said the superstar.
Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra told The Jerusalem Post that he read that the Kabbalah Center has 22 million supporters. “That’s more Jews than there are in the world. If all these people are sympathizing with Israel and the Jews then I am happy.”
Her fellow enthusiasts say her star status hasn’t detracted from the spirituality of the holiday get-together. The singer famous for her overtly sexual and controversial antics is described by fellow Kabbala students as “modest” and “a serious student.” “Everyone’s the same here, Madonna hasn’t been a distraction,” said Mezada Petilon of the Manhattan center.
“Madonna’s real. She is into the stuff like the rest of us,” said Don Ellis, a Christian from Texas who got hooked on Kabbala two years ago after hearing the CD Power of Kabbala. “She just has a bigger name than the rest of us.”
While the Kabbalah Center gathering was promoted as spiritual, there was also a commercial aspect.
At booths set up in the lobby, Kabbala-inspired goods such as backpacks, jewelry, stuffed dolls, and children’s clothing all emblazoned with one of the 72 names of God were on sale. They were even tequila shot glasses (NIS 125 each) with one of God’s names on them.
“We want to have more things relating to Kabbala. They help us with our transformation, with developing a change from within,” said Rachel Roded, of the LA center.
“You wouldn’t understand, it’s hard to explain to you,” Ellis said of the wide variety of goods on sale.
The fact that the Catholic-bred Madonna is the symbol of the Kabbalah Center hasn’t seem to bother anyone either. “I think it’s inspiring that people of all religions are here because that’s what will bring peace,” said 28-year-old Petilon.
As for the pop icon herself, she said, “In the past four days, I have met people from all over the world… held hands, sung, danced, and prayed with Sufis, Christians, Jews, and Muslims. We all have one thing in common. We want to create peace in the world. We want to put an end to chaos and suffering but most of all we want to put an end to hatred for no reason. That is why I am here.”
Singers Ahinoam Nini and Amal Murkus, a Palestinian, performed John Lennon‘s song Imagine – the song Madonna ended each of her concerts with during her latest “Reinvention” tour.
Tickets to the gala were much sought after and many journalists and fans waited outside the door. Among the guests who did get in were many local TV, theater, and movie stars who came to see their idol.
Madonna told Sunday night’s crowd – who payed $500 per person to attend the gala – that she was hesitant to come to Israel but is happy she did. “I’d like to say how happy I am to be back in Israel. I promise not to stay away for another 10 years,” said the singer, who was last in town for a 1993 concert.
“To be perfectly honest, I was a bit hesitant to come here after seeing so many news reports about terrorist attacks and reading travel warnings about how dangerous it is for Americans here. I realize now it’s no more dangerous to be here than in New York. I feel very safe and welcome. The most dangerous thing I’ve encountered here are the very naughty paparazzi waiting outside my hotel.”
Said Ezra: “It’s very important to Israel when a personality like Madonna comes here. I hope other people will follow her example and come too.”
Source: The Jerusalem Post