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July 25, 2008

Gretchen Murray: Madonna spurs interest in Kabbalah

BY GRETCHEN MURRAY

When a famous personality like Madonna brings her superstar glitz and glamour to Traverse City, she's sure to create a conversation -- at least that's what members of Congregation Ahavat Shalom are relying on.

It was Madonna who piqued the world's interest in Kabbalah, a doctrine of ancient Jewish mysticism, when she announced her conversion, and the local Kabbalist congregation is planning a special "Open Secret" Shabbat to coincide with Madonna's visit to the Traverse City Film Festival. They hope the event will shed some light on the religion for those of all faith traditions.

Congregation Ahavat Shalom celebrates Shabbat together the first Friday of each month. Their community celebration from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Church will be open for anyone who would like to learn more. The service starts with a Kabbalat Shabbat or welcoming prayers and will include a kiddush, a service sanctifying the wine and bread and an oneg, a time of food, eating and celebration.

Shabbat, a weekly observance that begins at sundown Friday and lasts until three stars become visible in the Saturday night sky, is a favorite time for Jews that mandates rest, relaxation and renewal, said Seth Castleman, who recently was named the congregation's new rabbi. "Just as the branches of a tree can only grow as far as the roots of the tree, the week can only be as productive as Shabbat is rejuvenating," Castleman said.

Fred Goldenberg, the congregation's president, says Kabbalah is such a fascinating part of Judaism, that it's secrets only are introduced by ancient rabbis when the time was right.

"In the more orthodox tradition studying the ancient rituals of Kabbalah never happened until you came of age, usually when a person was well into their 30s," Goldenberg said. "The rabbis' concern was that mysticism was so enticing that if you were an 18 to 20 year-old idealist you would be sucked into the void of mysticism, and neglect to find your way in life."

Castlemen is willing to discuss some of those hidden messages during the session, "Infinite Sparks: Creation Stories' Hidden Wisdom," scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2.

"Many people walk into Kabbalah services and feel they don't know what's going on, and that they're the only one who doesn't know what's going on. We're going to try to unpack what we're doing. We don't want anyone to feel we're doing something that's over their heads," he said.

The weekend activities take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6726 Center Road, and are open to anyone wishing to know more about the faith. An $18 donation is being requested of non-members. Call 929-4330.

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