Madonna's Kabbalah pilgrimage

Sep 11, 2007, 11:15 GMT

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Madonna is participating in a mass Kabbalah pilgrimage to Israel to mark the Jewish New Year.

The pop superstar - who has long been an ardent follower of the mystical offshoot of Judaism - will be among 2,000 pilgrims taking part in the 10-day Rosh Hashanah travel and study programme.

The 49-year-old singer is expected to arrive in the country by private jet with husband Guy Ritchie, their seven-year-old son Rocco, 23-month-old adopted son David, and the singer's 10-year-old daughter Lourdes, ahead of the start of the festival on Wednesday (12.09.07).

Other celebrities joining Madonna on her spiritual journey - which will include trips to holy sites in Jerusalem and Galilee and a series of religious teachings - include Demi Moore and her husband Ashton Kutcher and fashion designer Donna Karan.

The Kabbalah Centre has planned a special celebration in Jaffa on September 16 for invited guests only and students of the sect between the ages of 21 and 35.

A spokesperson for the centre refused to say whether Madonna and her star friends would be attending the 'Idrahjaffa Moon Party', saying: "It's impossible to know."

It has been reported that over 2,000 Israeli police officers will be deployed during Madonna's visit, following rumours Jewish extremists - who believe non-Jews and women should be banned from studying Kabbalah - plan to sabotage the trip.

(C) BANG Media International