Your talent, energy, smarts and good will are welcome here.

Israel is a blessing she felt of God's closeness to the center of the biblical earth, Jerusalem. Directions mentioned in the Bible (north,east,south, and west) are from Jerusalem. People who do not know the Lord would not feel this closeness of God to Israel that blesses the land when the Jews are there. Last year, I talked to people in Israel who were from New York as you are who took a lower paying job and a lower standard of living to live in Israel because they feel happier there than they ever did in New York. I felt peaceful and happy in Israel, too; and safer than in America and that was during the Second Lebanon War last year. The air was cleaner and the water was too.

So, who paid for the golden bible designed by Israeli sculpture Ya'acov Agam? The Israeli taxpayers? I could think of better ways to spend our money.

To encourage yeridah, or to admit bitterly that you are a loser who couldn't cut it here? Some of us do just fine, and Rivkah is right - in many ways, it is better than in the US, even for us secular Jews.

...jealousy is a terrible thing!! Welcome to Israel Madonna, Guy Ritchie, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and otheres recently like Will Smith, Dalai Lama, Leonardo Di Caprio etc Whatever your reasons; kabbalah, seeing a partner's family or just liking here.. we hope that you have a great time and come again soon!!!

Look at it this way (especially you, #13: Richard), Most of us who commit alia (ok, sick joke), and stay - are simply more harmonious in ourselves here, then from were they came from (in my case Sydney, Australia) preferring emotional security over material security. Maybe Madge wouldn't cut it here, but I also doubt she has the same psych as your average Western garden variety Jewish oleh (not to mention; the variety of options she has as of where to buy homes . . . . . )

these talkbacks are so funny! yes #24 i also would think judaism's ambassador should be jewish, but what do we know?and to #22 - funny! so true! and #21- pioneering and innovative lyrics?!!!! "like a virgin touched for the very first time...." very pioneering and innovative!!!! ha!!!!! you really made me laugh! but all in all, i really think the whole madonna is israel business is just a bit of filler for a bored news site, does it really change our lives so much if madonna is in israel? and if she does study kabbalah? do we really care?

I can't understand what those Orthodox "Jews" are complaining about. They seem like a bunch of cranky drudges who are happy to let others fight and die for their right to slander everyone else. And as far as calling anyone else who doesn't subscribe to their crackpot notions of what a Jew is, an argument could be made that they're a bunch of cultists themselves, sort of like Scientologists with a Polish/Jewish tinge. If everyone in Israel shared their beliefs, the whole bunch of them would have to move back to the US within a week.

AFTER 1982. You are showing your age. Madonna also wrote: "Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of others." And that it is shameful for a man to show any "femininine" characteristics because they "think its a shame to be a girl....." She isn't just the boy toy you think and she's spoken out on alot of important issues over the years. She's a great performer (I saw her in the US once), even though not a great voice, not to mention a smart businesswoman. I'm glad she's here for a visit. It may not "change our lives" but so what - its a nice thing that she expresses good will toward our country, which we sure can use sometimes.

Madonna has real guts as a public figure to express her love for Israel-even the most cynical person must recognize that-may G-d protect her and her family.

SHE SHOULD SING, "DON'T CRY FOR ME OH JERUSALEM.......!" OH I WOULD CERTAINLY WANT TO TUMBLE WITH MADONNA. IF PERES DID I WOULD NOT BLAME HIM. AT LEAST THIS ONE IS BEAUTIFUL.

Does anyone remember the signed letter of 87 hollywood stars that appeared in a number of major newspapers a few months ago condemning Hamas/Hisb? Big stars like Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis etc can have an influential impact on public opinion.

It's nice to have friends. We don't have many.

I will give her the benefit of the doubt insofar as she may not realize she is consorting with Israel's most vicious traitor. The man who brought the oslo accords and Israel's sworn enemies into her backyard. Can't blame her for not knowing when so many Israelis & Jews the world over are not aware of this most dangerous fact. I wish somebody would write a book ---fast--about who Peres is and how much $$$ it took to turn him against his people and country?

Not a former Catholic.

eeeeewww......

Madonna is a great woman and icon of our times. Her love and dedication to kabbalah and to israel is an honor'. You don't hear of any sultans or oil sheiks saying they love gaza.

What's wrong? Too much contradictions now running in your head? 'Israel' that you are so in love with is an occupying, land-grabbing, life-extuinguising state that must threaten and be at war in order to survive. May I suggest that you attend to Lourdes' needs and quit praising something you don't understand!

MA MA TERIAL GIRL - GO HOME! Palestine is Arab :)

What a difference it makes from the sea of hate surrounding Israel and beyond. Thank you!

Israel could use more positive press, regardless of how trivial it may seem to some. Of course, did the news of her visit even make it out of Israel?

Tell Madonna if she loves Israel so much, do us a favor and stay there.

I mean, 'in love with Israel', the place is a dump !