[1] For the next 14 years, Tobin directed Brandeis University's Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies in Boston, Massachusetts.
[4] A 1998 article described the goals of the think tank as focusing on "Jewish philanthropy, synagogue life, and leadership development".
The report suggested that specificity was key in soliciting donations, and that the idea of "Jewish continuity" in particular lacked support from donors.
[6] In 1999, Tobin and Diane published a report titled "Study of Ethnic and Racial Diversity of the Jewish Population of the United States".
[7] In 1999, Tobin wrote the book "Opening the Gates: How Proactive Conversion Can Revitalize the Jewish Community".
[1] The book suggested that one way to navigate American Jewish demographic decline would be encouragement that non-Jewish spouses convert.
This occurred in part because Jewish groups and the federation system lacked the structure to take in this sort of large donation, suggested Tobin.
The experience of raising their black son within the Jewish community led the Tobins to found the nonprofit Be'chol Lashon.
Tobin said in a 2008 JTA op-ed:"No number of day schools or summer camps is going to turn back the clock on religious freedom and competition....It is time for Jews to join every other group in America and quit obsessing about who is being lost and start acting on who might come in".
[3][9] While Tobin supported a liberal view on Jewish life, he held hard-line positions on Israel and antisemitism.
[1] Tobin fiercely criticized the 2000 National Jewish Population Survey, saying that the study severely undercounted American Jews due to methodological flaws[9] and calling it "utter nonsense".