WHAT?

Steven Alan Hassan, internationally renowned cult expert, licensed mental health counselor and founder of The Freedom of the Mind Resource Center warns us that The Kabbalah Learning Centre is really a destructive cult in disguise. Hassan, who is Jewish and belongs to a Temple that teaches Kabbalah warns us that the actions of the Kabbalah Learning Centre have little in common with traditional or even responsible Jewish renewal Kabbalah teachers.

WHO?

Hassan says, there is something deceptive and sinister that’s drawing celebrities like: Madonna, Mick Jagger, Barbra Streisand, Courtney Love, Elizabeth Taylor, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd and Sandra Bernhard to The Kabbalah Learning Centre, which was founded by Rabbi Phillip Berg (his real name is Feivel Gruberger and he is a former insurance salesman).

WHERE?

The Kabbalah Learning Centre, which is headquartered in Los Angeles and New York has branches in Israel, South America, Canada, Mexico and France. Kabbalah, the mystical Jewish tradition dating back centuries is different from what’s being taught at The Kabbalah Learning Center.

WHY?

Why the concern? Well, mainstream rabbis have criticized the center, which makes outrageous claims, extracts large amounts of money from followers, and is marketing a pop version of the Kabbalah. A number of disenchanted spouses, family members and former members have accused the center of using high-pressure mind control tactics to manipulate members into a cultish dependency. During the past year, Hassan has counseled a young woman who was a staff member at The Kabbalah Learning Centre and involved for three years.

WHEN?

Recruitment can take place in numerous ways. People are much more vulnerable to being unduly influenced when they are undergoing great stress, crisis or transition. From high school students to grandparents, no one is safe unless they are fully informed, and Hassan says the best way to protect oneself is to assume high standard of personal responsibility.