Blum became a member of the
Quakers whilst maintaining his Jewish heritage. He held several academic positions in the United States, such as at
Howard University where he taught economics, The residential community of The New Era Centre in The Abbey was dedicated on 4 October 1981 as a space to explore and work towards the synthesis of
Christianity and more contemporary understandings of societal transformation. In 1984, after The Abbey was improved to a habitable state, the first two resident community members moved in. Stephen Verney extensively discussed, and believed in, the role Buddhist practice and philosophy could play in increasing connectivity with a Christian deity, and it was this belief which led many of The New Era Centre's early pursuits. In August 1991, the charity was renamed 'The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay'. Blum spent decades researching, interviewing and publishing on
Mahatma Gandhi's life works and legacy. He led the "Gandhi Interview Project" in the 1970s and early 80s. Much of Blum's work can now be found in The Abbey's library. In 1986, Blum decided to be baptised into the
Anglican Church and a few months later he was ordained as priest. In December 1989, Blum had a severe stroke which deprived him of speech. He could not imagine a life without this expression and chose to eat nothing, dying in the beginning of January 1990. == Selected works ==