Kabbalah Program in Public Schools Raises Ire in Los Angeles

A program associated with Kabbalah Centre International and offered in several Los Angeles elementary schools has drawn fire from some parents and school officials, who say it blurs the line between church and state, reports the Los Angeles Times.

“Spirituality for Kids,” created by Karen Berg, co-founder of the Kabbalah Centre, is promoted as a nondenominational effort to teach kids to make wise choices. It is run by the Spirituality for Kids Foundation, a nonprofit group that receives support from Madonna and other celebrity devotees of kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism.

Critics contend that Spirituality for Kids seeks to bring kabbalah into schools under the veil of ethics training. But Karen Timko, who coordinates elementary counselors for the Los Angeles Unified School District, said the program is about “tools for navigating your life,” not religion.

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