Rabbi no fan
of Material Girl

Not everyone is impressed that Madonna has re-invented herself.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the former friend and advisor to Michael Jackson, has attacked Madonna, calling her a “slut” and a “vulgarian.” In a startling essay for SomethingJewish.Co.UK, the Rabbi blasts Phillip Berg, the head of the Kabbalah Centre for letting the Material Girl be the religion’s highest-profile spokesperson.

“Earth to Phillip Berg: Do us all a favor and dump Madonna as your principal spokesperson,” Boteach writes. “Sorry to be so crass, but Madonna is a slut. Yes, she may sing, and she may dance. But she is famous for being a slut. And no religion dare have a slut as its principal representative.” He goes on to say: “[I]s the Kabbalah Center really so desperate that it is prepared to promote itself through a vulgarian whose main contribution to the culture is porn rock?”

“I find Rabbi Boteach’s comments regarding Madonna frightening,” Madonna’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, told the Scoop. “His vile attacks on her character and as an artist are staggering for someone who professes to be a religious person.  . . . I suggest this man take a look at his own character and what problems he may have that would make him feel that he should make statements about a truly beautiful human being that he does not know in the slightest.  . . . Madonna’s relationship with the Kabbalah and her commitment to (their) teachings has been a beautiful experience for her and the fact that Madonna wants to share her lessons . . . is yet another example of her truly generous and loving spirit.”

False charges?

Louis Lanzano / AP file

Was the Secret Service employee who testified against Martha Stewart set up?

Larry Stewart (no relation to the domestic diva) was recently charge with perjury in connection with his testimony against Martha Stewart. But now Stewart is getting defended from an unlikely defender: his ex-wife.

“The person who came forward alleging that Larry Stewart lied at Martha’s trial is the same person who filed complaints about Larry approx. 3 years ago,” Larry Stewart’s ex-wife wrote in a letter to WestportNow.com. “I think it was found that she intentionally and maliciously twisted things around to try to get Larry fired, possibly trying to get his job or to get back at him because she doesn’t like or agree with his management style.” Sue Stewart says she was married to Larry for 19 years and is “no fan” of her ex-husband and even bears “some resentment and anger towards him.” But she also insists “I totally support him and believe that he is innocent!!”

Sue Stewart says her ex was devoted to his career and there’s no way he would risk it to get Martha Stewart convicted. “People have to think this situation is bizarre and will hopefully question and research it,” she e-mailed The Scoop in response to an inquiry. “I have spoken to Larry several times since he was arrested, and so have our daughters, mutual friends and neighbors, and even my family (his ex family). We’re all supportive of him and are in disbelief that this is happening.”

Notes from all over

Miranda Shen / AP file

Kelly Osbourne has a voodoo doll of Christina Aguilera, claims the London Mirror, which reports that Osbourne sticks pins in the effigy and “also stomps all over it then bursts into fits of laughter.” . . . Bono is downplaying reports that he and his Live Aid buddies are preparing to give another concert. . . . Christina Ricci is denying rumors that she had her breasts reduced to help her career. “That’s ridiculous,” Ricci said, according to ContactMusic.com. “Why would having smaller boobs get you bigger roles?”

Jeannette Walls delivers the Scoop Monday through Thursday on MSNBC.com.

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