Centre Slammed

A leading American rabbi has publicly labelled London’s Kabbalah centre “a falsification of Judaism”.

Rabbi Dr J I Shochet, who is currently being sued for slander by the centre in a £2.5 million lawsuit, addressed around 200 people last week at the Central synagogue in London.

He said: “It is a falsification of Judaism and kabbalah and brings traditional Judaism into disrepute.”

The event, co-hosted by Rabbi Yitzchak Shochet and Rabbi Barry Marcus, was held in response to concerns from community members who had been approached by the centre.

Marcus described the group as “a dangerous cult-like organisation that preys on vulnerable people”.

He added: “We have to stand up and make a statement. This is nothing to do with our community and does not have our sanction.”

Rabbi Shochet said: “They claim conduct themselves in an Orthodox manner, but I have sworn affidavits of former members who were cursed and threatened for not pledging money to the centre.”

The event, called ‘The Sham v The Reality’, followed a statement issued last month by the chief rabbi’s office publicly distancing the United Synagogue from the centre.

The Kabbalah Centre, which runs more than 50 centres worldwide, claims its version of the mystical Jewish tradition is a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment.

However, it has courted criticism over recruitment and money raising techniques.

Items sold in the centres include copies of the Zohar, the ancient Kabbalistic text, for up to £300, red string for £15 and “blessed” bottled water for £2.80.

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