On April 20, American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic announced the Planting Seeds Initiative – a wide-ranging program to reduce the landmark orchestra’s carbon footprint and strengthen its music education programs as part of a partnership with Aspiration – a financial services company often described as the “operating system” of the good economy. The Israel Philharmonic seeks to become the first major carbon-neutral orchestra by 2022 and make a significant impact on fostering next-generation musical talent in Israel.
“The Israel Philharmonic was founded to save the lives of Europe’s Jewish musicians from the Holocaust. Planting seeds for the future is embedded deep in our DNA,” said American Friends Executive Vice President and CEO Danielle Ames Spivak. “We’re thrilled to be working with a visionary company like Aspiration to send a message that cultural institutions have an integral role in saving our planet from the effects of climate change.”
“Planting Seeds is all about creating a sustainable future, a value that both American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic and Aspiration share,” said Andrei Cherny, co-founder and CEO of Aspiration. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic to offer a new model for sustainability in the world of classical music.”
For any click on an Aspiration link shared by American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic, Aspiration will plant a tree, offsetting the carbon footprint of the orchestra’s tours when they resume. The organizations hope that the eco-conscious approach will become a model for orchestras around the world.
For any account subsequently opened with Aspiration, the company will donate a musical instrument to KeyNote, the Israel Philharmonic’s classical music education and community-building programs, and Sulamot, its initiative to create social change by opening the world of music to children from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds in Israel. More than 25,000 children a year participate in these programs, which encourage openness, tolerance, and mutual respect.
