Ernest E. “Ernie” Goitein was a passionate environmental and social justice activist whose life journey spanned continents and causes. Born in Berlin, Ernie’s early years were marked by displacement and resilience as he and his family moved through Holland, Palestine (Israel), Trinidad, Cuba, and the United States, ultimately settling in Northern California. After serving in the US Army during World War II and earning an engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, Ernie built a career as an engineer specializing in large-scale cooling systems, including work on nuclear power plant design.

Ernie became deeply involved in environmental activism in the Bay Area during the late 1980s and 1990s. He came to Bay Area Action as a collaborator in the Ward Valley campaign — a decade-long struggle to prevent the establishment of a nuclear waste dump in the Mojave Desert. His organizing leadership and commitment were instrumental in uniting activists and ultimately achieving a victory in 1999, halting the project and setting a precedent against new nuclear waste dumps in California.

Beyond Ward Valley, Ernie was central to several other significant environmental campaigns during the 1990–2000 period. He helped organize grassroots efforts that stopped the development of 2,600 acres of wetlands at Bair Island, preserving it as part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. He was also active in campaigns against hazardous waste incineration and the burning of missile fuel near San Jose, successfully mobilizing local communities to protect air and water quality. Ernie’s approach was characterized by his endless curiosity, inclusive spirit, and ability to inspire those around him to work for a healthier, safer world.

Post BAA

After 2000, Ernie continued to be a prominent figure in environmental and social justice movements. He participated in high-profile protests, including the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) demonstrations in Seattle, where he witnessed the historic alliance of labor and environmental activists. In 2002, he joined protests at the School of the Americas in Georgia, advocating against military training linked to human rights abuses in Latin America. Ernie also traveled internationally, presenting on radioactive waste at a 1998 symposium in Stockholm and joining a 2005 delegation with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to observe land reform and cooperative farming.

Ernie remained active in local and global causes well into his later years, always embracing opportunities to support justice and environmental stewardship. His legacy lives on in the preserved lands, safer communities, and the countless activists he mentored and inspired throughout his life.