60 years with the queen of pop: Madonna's colorful Jewish culture

A look back on 60 years of Madonna's dabbling in Jewish culture, Kabbalah, and a love for Israel.

By TAMAR URIEL-BEERI
Madonna arrives at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California January 26, 2014 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Madonna arrives at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California January 26, 2014
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Queen of Pop has been rocking world stages since her debut in the 80’s. Now, celebrating her 60th birthday, we look back at her Jewish-rooted past.
Deeper and deeper into the fast
Madonna, known in the Jewish world for dabbling in Kabbalah, keeps many of the holy days including Tisha Be’av, the annual fast day.

 

9th of Av. This is a Day to stay inside. lay low. ⛱ Keep Quiet .

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on

In an Instagram post last year, Madonna paid respect to the memory of the historical atrocities that happened to the Jewish people.
Living for Love… of trees
Madonna sent out a message of self-love and appreciation for our environment on Tu B’Shvat in a photo labeled, “She slept with wolves without fear, for the wolves knew a lion was among them.”

 

Tu B'shvat..........love trees

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on

Later in the comments of the photo, Madonna added that her religiosity “is about unifying” people.
Take a Bow, Esther

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According to the Houston Chronicle, Madonna wishes for people to call her Esther. This statement came in 2004 at the peak of her Re-Invention tour.
This also came a few days before the release of one of her children's books, Yakov and the Seven Thieves.
Cherish the Holy Land
During Operation Protective Edge, Madonna commented that she wishes the firing of rockets would stop. A post on her Facebook revealed photos of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel, the three Israeli boys kidnapped by Hamas members in Hebron.
 
Post by Madonna.
 
 
“All human life is precious!” Madonna’s post stated.
Die Another Day
In her music video for the song, “Die Another Day,” Madonna desperately wraps her arm in the traditional manner of Jewish culture, representative of tefillin.
The song was released for the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day featuring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry and Judi Dench.
Into the Groove of Jewish culture
Madonna has often mentioned that her son, Rocco Ritchie, had a Bar Mitzvah. In 2013, the family gathered in a New York Kabbala Center and performed the sacred ceremony that made Rocco a man.
Take A Bow, production team
Madonna’s career is often lined by work and support by Jewish and Israeli members of her village. For example, her first label was signed by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, and American Jew whose record label is one of the most prestigious in the world.
Madonna is currently managed by American-Israeli talent manager Guy Oseary. His career became in what is now known as Maverick and currently manages other big talents such as U2.
Crazy for You, Tel Aviv
Madonna was quite close to moving to Tel Aviv in 2015 when some luxury apartments on Rothschild Boulevard, one of the most exclusive living areas in Israel, were put on the market.
Considering the Material Girl’s estimated $55 million net worth, the apartment was not outside her price range.


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