Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles written by Michael Brown


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  • Please don't tell me that God is punishing the Jews

    Michael Brown and Jonathan Feldstein|Jan 26, 2024

    There are many areas of agreement between Jews and Christians. For example, both emphasize the foundational importance of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, as well as the importance of living by the ethical ideals of the Torah and the Prophets. Both emphasize a final Day of Judgment where we give account for our lives before God. There are many more. Since Oct. 7, there have been obscene and outrageous lies and slander, along with tangible and genocidal threats against Israel and the Jewish people all over the world. One would be f...

  • Theological antisemitism at home in the Presbyterian Church

    Dr. Michael Brown and Jonathan Feldstein|Feb 4, 2022

    In a recent statement published on the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, not only misrepresented and defamed Dr. King’s legacy, but he did so using some of the most vile antisemitic tropes singling out the Jewish people and Israel. In his statement, Dr. Nelson wrote of Dr. King’s legacy and overcoming societal inequities in the U.S. and all over the world. Listing a broad range of social problems, Dr. Nelson then seaml...

  • For Tu B'Shevat, 5 of Israel's must-see trees

    Michael Brown|Feb 10, 2017

    (JTA)-Trees have stories, and Israel's trees have lots of stories. Scattered throughout the country, scores of ancient and historic trees help shed light on fascinating aspects of Israeli history, from the biblical to the modern, that are often overlooked by the average tourist. As we approach Tu B'Shevat-the new year for the trees on the Jewish calendar falls on Feb. 10 this year-now is the perfect time to visit some of these magnificent trees. The five trees below, all easily accessible, are...

  • Israel's ancient and historic trees

    Michael Brown, JNS.org|Jan 10, 2014

    In 2013, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) published a survey of mature trees in Jerusalem that was "the most comprehensive of the recent SPNI surveys, including some 4,000 trees," according to the society's marketing and communications coordinator, Danielle Berkowitz. Many of the trees identified through such surveys have rich histories and stories attached to them. In fact, hundreds of trees throughout the Jewish state illuminate fascinating aspects of Israeli history...