Madonna is participating in a mass Kabbalah pilgrimage to Israel to mark the Jewish New Year.
The pop superstar - who has long been an ardent follower of the mystical offshoot of Judaism - will be among 2,000 pilgrims taking part in the 10-day Rosh Hashanah travel and study programme.
The 49-year-old singer is expected to arrive in the country by private jet with husband Guy Ritchie, their seven-year-old son Rocco, 23-month-old adopted son David, and the singer's 10-year-old daughter Lourdes, ahead of the start of the festival on Wednesday (12.09.07).
Other celebrities joining Madonna on her spiritual journey - which will include trips to holy sites in Jerusalem and Galilee and a series of religious teachings - include Demi Moore and her husband Ashton Kutcher and fashion designer Donna Karan. The Kabbalah Centre has planned a special celebration in Jaffa on September16 for invited guests only and students of the sect between the ages of 21 and 35. A spokesperson for the centre refused to say whether Madonna and her star friends would be attending the 'Idrahjaffa Moon Party', saying: "It's impossible to know."
It has been reported that over 2,000 Israeli police officers will be deployed during Madonna's visit, following rumours Jewish extremists - who believe non-Jews and women should be banned from studying Kabbalah - plan to sabotage the trip. | 
