
Vote for Kamala
This is the coral in that same area a few months later – bleached because of rising ocean temperatures.
Huge hurricanes. Heat waves. Droughts. Floods. Our climate is changing; it cannot be denied. You can vote for someone who will do nothing about climate change and wants to drill for more oil, or you can vote for Kamala.

July 2024
Save the USA
Written by Bruce…
My Grandpa Ben was born in the Bila Tserkva, Ukraine in 1908. Pogroms during the Russian Revolution encouraged his father to emigrate to the US. Ben, his mother and siblings followed after the First World War.
In a terrible way, those pogroms were a good thing. They forced my grandfather’s family to leave. If they had stayed, they would have been killed in the Bila Tserkva massacre of August 1941 when Nazi soldiers killed every single Jew, including all of the children.
The USA is at a dangerous crossroads. Donald Trump has refused to explicitly condemn white supremacist groups. He has invoked language used by the Nazis in reference to immigrants. Racist and antisemitic hate crimes surged after Trump was elected in 2016.
It is time for this trend to stop. Now. I beg everyone reading this to:
1. GET INVOLVED. Join a group like or Indivisible, Movement Voter Project, Vote Save America or any number of groups that are working to stop the maga agenda (lower case on purpose).
2. DONATE to the campaigns of Democrats in state and federal elections. The Republican party has become the party of intolerance and hate.
3. VOTE for the Democratic Candidate. Not a third-party candidate. Only for the Democratic candidate that can possibly defeat Trump.
Please choose intelligence, kindness and caring over racism, xenophobia, and ignorance. Make America great by showing the world we will not elect a convicted felon who encourages hate groups.
History is a vast early warning system. -Norman Cousins

December 2022
Save Mantas
Oceanic manta rays have the largest brain to body mass ratio of any fish, yet we know very little about them. We do know they are gentle, curious, social creatures that seem to be intelligent. Because of their size, the only threats to oceanic manta rays are large sharks, orcas and humans. As with so many of the ocean’s species, overfishing and bycatch are a dangerous threat as well as loss of critical habitat. Most threatening are the bogus claims of Chinese medicine practitioners that manta gill filter pads can cure dozens of ailments, though their use has never been documented in any traditional Chinese medicine text.
Manta rays have only one offspring every 2 to 4 years and thus their numbers have plummeted dangerously as they’ve become a targeted species. Global populations are estimated to have declined 50-79% over the last 90 years resulting in the giant manta ray being listed as an endangered species.
Please help protect these remarkable animals by supporting one of these organizations. Thank you.
• The Manta Trust
• Proyecto Manta Pacific México (@proyectomanta)
• Marine Megafauna Foundation

August 2022
The Next Step
In Migrations 29, our DO GOOD was about changing how we live our lives to help save our world. But we’ve since realized that’s not enough.
Read this article to understand why.
The truth is, huge corporations have been working hard to fool us into thinking our personal behavior is at fault for the climate crisis. It’s a great strategy to remove our attention from what they continue to do: make billions of dollars at the expense of the planet’s (and our) future. Simply put, this big problem needs big solutions. Forgoing straws or paying carbon offsets for flights is not going to solve it.
So what do we do? Get involved.
Our governments belong to us and we get to tell them what to do. Join and support an effective organization that will change the laws. That will change our world.
So… please read the article, then do something.
Here are a few organizations we recommend:
Third Act | 350.org | Indivisible

August 2021
Change. Seriously.
Living on this earth means we affect the earth. We can’t help it. We use resources as we live our lives. But that’s no reason for not changing how we live. You can change. Stop buying drinks in plastic bottles. Stop buying gas-hungry cars. Turn off the TV. Don’t buy so much stuff from Amazon. Stop living life as if comfort and convenience are the most important things in the world.
Start with one thing, then add another. And another. Be conscious.
Live your life as if the things you do, what you buy, and what you use affects the future of all life on this planet.
Because it does.

December 2020
My Octopus Teacher
The Social Dilemma
Watch these two films — both available on Netflix.
My Octopus Teacher will remind you of the beauty, richness, and intelligence found in nature. The Social Dilemma will, we hope, inspire you to change and protect the world, and our mental health. Please watch, and think hard about the decisions we make and how they affect our future.

July 2017
Surfrider Straws Suck Campaign
In the U.S.A., 500 million (MILLION!) straws are thrown away every day. You can help stop all of this plastic from ending up in our rivers, oceans, and bodies. Start by specifying “no straw” when ordering a drink (including water). But remember, straws aren’t enough… reduce your use of all non-reusable plastics.

March 2017
Natural Resources Defense Council
Nearly every day, Alene and I see the injurious effects of humankind on our ocean and planet. We have met people whose homes will likely be gone in a decade due to climate change and sea levels rising. And now the United States has a president who is rolling back environmental protections and reversing decades of progress. You may disagree with my views on taxes, or healthcare, or education, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, whether you support this president or not, I beg you to oppose his environmental policies. Donate to NRDC. They are one of the finest organizations out there and they will be working hard to protect our world. No matter who you voted for in the last election (or didn’t vote for), support NRDC. Our world depends on it. Really.

February 2016
WildAid’s mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. WildAid is working in many countries to change people’s perception of the products that create the illegal wildlife trade (for example, their shark fin soup campaign in Asia). They work with governments to strengthen conservation programs, create legal protection for endangered species and implement anti-trafficking laws. They are awesome. Please give them your support.

December 2015
Japan has started whaling again in the Southern Ocean. It is a travesty to continue to kill whales… especially under the despicable deceit of scientific research. Support Greenpeace to help stop the whaling.

August 2013
A great organization working to bring forward the truth about our relationship with ‘stuff’, and therefore, our planet. Their videos are easy to understand and to the point. They make you think, and perhaps, change. Watch some of the videos. And then, please donate.

February 2013
We went to a presentation by Dr. Andrea Marshall while we were in California in January 2013. She’s doing great work to protect threatened marine species; most notably, manta rays and whale sharks. She’s a very cool person dedicated to accomplishing something important. Please support her. We do.

July 2012
Authors & Illustrators for Children
In 2008, over 1,000 children’s book authors and illustrators came together to help elect Barack Obama. They are still working to elect a president who truly cares about the future of our children. Support them if you can. And vote!

July 2012
Jean & Robert Blakey Memorial Endowed Scholarship Award
Created by the Long Beach community in memory of my parents, this scholarship fund provides financial aid to Jewish Studies students at California State University, Long Beach. Contributions may be sent to:
Jewish Community Foundation – Blakey Jewish Studies Scholarship
3801 E. Willow Street
Long Beach, CA 90815

February 2012
Not a non-profit organization, but a book by Barbara Kingsolver worth buying and reading. It’s an interesting, humorous, and exceptionally well-written read; it just might change the way you think about food. It did for me.

July 2011
We need to give to non-profits. But there are so many! How do you know if your money is being used properly? Charity Navigator is a great tool. Check out over 5,000 charities before you donate. If you like their service, consider supporting Charity Navigator as well.

February 2011
Natural Resources Defense Council
Who stands between corporate greed and the destruction of the environment? The NRDC, that’s who. They also work to stop our government from destroying our own country’s precious wildlife and resources. An incredibly effective organization that uses the law, science, and members’ actions to keep the bad guys at bay. I’ve been a member for over 20 years. You could be a member, too.