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Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of the Jewish News Syndicate, a senior contributor for The Federalist, a columnist for Newsweek and a contributor to many other publications. He covers the American political scene, foreign policy, the U.S.-Israel relationship, Middle East diplomacy, the Jewish world and the arts. He hosts the JNS “Think Twice” podcast, both the weekly video program and the “Jonathan Tobin Daily” program, which are available on all major audio platforms and YouTube. Previously, he was executive editor, then senior online editor and chief political blogger, for Commentary magazine. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of The Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia and editor of the Connecticut Jewish Ledger. He has won more than 60 awards for commentary, art criticism and other writing. He appears regularly on television, commenting on politics and foreign policy. Born in New York City, he studied history at Columbia University.

The imperative to learn from our mistakes and make amends isn’t consistent with intolerance for and refusing to listen to opposing views.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was bashed for extolling strength and deploring weakness. The ongoing slaughter in Syria illustrates the wisdom of his sentiment.
Most Israelis understand they were duped. Why does the foreign-policy establishment still resist learning from history?
The untroubled presence of a hate-monger on the stage at Aretha Franklin’s funeral calls into question assumptions about the real source of concern about a rising tide of anti-Semitism.
A trend towards High Holiday sermons about Trump or Netanyahu could set the tone for more political strife, even as a sense of Jewish peoplehood declines.
With the resistance smelling blood in the United States, it’s time to assess the assumption that Israel’s affection for the president has set the table for future problems.
Even in this era of cynicism, honoring heroism and national service remains essential. Without it, the ideas that bolster America and Israel suffer.
The great musician’s centennial highlights so much that is great about American Jewry, as well as some of its foibles.
The indifference of most American Jews to victories by anti-Israel Democrats illustrates their priorities.
Those on the Israeli right need to understand that even a friendly U.S. administration isn’t going to write them a blank check.
Join the editor of JNS in guessing what will happen in the New Year.
The obstacle to peace remains Palestinian ideology, not how many settlers can be evicted from their homes.