It was really good to see you last week at the Pesach service. I'm sorry that Uncle Alfie couldn't make it and I hope that he's now recovered from the flu. Anyway, he missed your great performance.

Well done to you for standing up to David and Miriam. I certainly wouldn't have had the guts against those two. Have there been any comebacks on the golf-course? Morry tells me that you still all get on famously and no-one has since mentioned what was said that night. I think that's amazing. What on earth do you talk about on the golf course, or do you just play golf? I find it hard to believe that two people with such firm views on life wouldn't clash constantly, but obviously they value their friendship higher than that. That's good.

But, Sadie, what I didn't realise was how strong your views are. So you're a New Ager, too. I knew that Alfie was one, he'd never been shy to let us all know in the past. His Tai Chi exercise routines are legendary now, brightening up the day of many a market trader every Thursday daybreak down the 'Lane'. He'd always been 'in touch' with his body, hasn't he, what with his weight training and synchronised swimming and all that? To me it seems that's what a lot of this New Age stuff is all about. It's very 'self-orientated' isn't it? What really does surprise me is how many Jews have been caught up in it. There's Uncle Julius and his new spiritualist girlfriend, to say nothing of Auntie Minnie, setting up herself as a registered reflexologist, consulting 'patients' in her living room. Her poor old husband, Uncle Nat - has to take his meals in the summer house.

What's it all about? Is the world going mad? My theory is that it's a form of rebellion against their Jewish upbringing, or could it just be that Jews are more sensitive to new ideas? You're on the inside, Sadie, so to speak. What is it about these New Age ideas?

I tell you something, I've done a bit of research on these things. One thing that I've found out is that 'New it all ain't!' In fact, it should really be called 'the Old Age', because it's as old as the houses. Some of it goes back to Hinduism, which even predates a lot of Jewish history. The rest is from ancient Babylon and the old Egyptian civilisations.

There really is nothing new about it at all, Sadie, did you know that? To me it seems like a lot of people are making a lot of money out of it and some of it is just common sense, but wrapped up in expensive packaging. It makes me laugh when you get some technique or process being promoted as being the fruit of some 'ancient tradition' or 'age-old wisdom', yet being pushed to the consumer as a 'New Age' thing, as if it were new and trendy, like Reebok trainers or the latest Pepsi formula.

But, Sadie, I want you to be warned, because it isn't all innocuous and harmless. The biggest lies they feed you are, 'if it works, then do it!' or 'As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, why not ?'. This is all part and parcel of today's society. It's just consumerism. They manufacture some need, that may exist or may not, then package up some remedy, that may be mumbo-jumbo, may have some truth in it, or may even be downright dangerous for you. It's like the diet industry. The glossy mags, and TV adverts convince you that to be slim is to be beautiful, which implies that being fat is to be ugly. Then they create an industry worth billions to fix the problem. Some of it is OK, especially the health and fitness education aspect of it. But then you get the diet pills, the endless video diet regimes and books and tapes and hypnotists and quacks. It's self-sustaining, and the last person to benefit is often you, the consumer.

But what I really want to highlight to you is the fact that, with some of the New Age stuff, you don't get to read the small print. Shall I tell you why, because there most definitely is small print. You'll find it in Hindu temples, in Buddhist writings, as well as the literature of various occult societies. You don't get to read this, because you're never told about it. Do you realise that you are following in traditions of religions that are diametrically opposed to the Judaism of your forefathers? Religions that openly worship what we call 'evil spirits' and demons.

You are not told this but it's true. The reason why I know that it's true is because I've read the small print. The pages of the Bible are full of it and it is full of warnings about some of these teachings and techniques that come under the umbrella of the New Age. When you do yoga, are you aware that your mind and body are assuming postures that are intended as worship to Hindu gods? And as for Transcendental Meditation, you really open yourselves up to all sorts of dangerous spirits.

Now, of course, Sadie, I don't know the extent of your involvement in these things and, perhaps, you're only involved in the harmless end of the market. I can only hope and pray that you are, because I really fear for the people, especially family, who have been drawn into this 'New Age' thing. On the one hand I don't want to scare you and anger you, though I've probably done both. But on the other hand I say 'blow the consequences', I feel that even if I can convince you to tread carefully then I've done a service.

I've just re-read this letter and I'm tempted to tear it up and forget the whole thing. But that's the cowardly way. I know that this letter is going to annoy you a lot. But if it does, please take a long breathe before you respond. Read it a couple of times, perhaps even read a bit first about the New Age. I can recommend a book or two, if you like. I think I've said enough now, Sadie, so I'll bid you farewell. No doubt I'll hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Moishe