The American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (ASPNI, also called Nature Israel) is the American fundraising arm of the Israeli environmental nonprofit Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). Both groups intend to protect Israel’s nature by addressing environmental challenges and advocating for sustainable development in Israel. ¹

Activities

Nature Israel intends to raise awareness in the U.S. and support the work of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Nature Israel hosts events, programs, and eco-tourism activities to promote environmental efforts in Israel and to raise funds for SPNI’s research, educational programs, and political campaigns. ²

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) is Israel’s largest and oldest environmental nonprofit organization and advocates for sustainable land use planning; protecting ecosystems, mammals, and marine environments; and reforming Israeli energy policy. ³

SPNI advocates for energy policy in Israel that optimizes energy use by transitioning from coal-based energy to natural gas and to weather-dependent energy sources, along with energy conservation education. SPNI seeks to reform the 1952 Petroleum Act to include environmental concerns and improve transparency regarding energy policy. SPNI sits on national and local infrastructure committees to influence legislation, position papers, and media. ⁴

SPNI campaigns have included trying to prevent experimental oil drilling in the Golan Heights, reforming fishing laws in the Mediterranean Sea to improve marine ecosystems and conditions for fishermen, and raising funds to install photovoltaic solar panels at SPNI Field Schools for research. ⁵ SPNI Field Schools are located throughout Israel and serve as environmental tourism and educational facilities for individuals, families, and student groups. ⁶

Funding

The American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While Nature Israel does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County ($50,895 in 2016), ⁷ the Jewish National Fund ($20,000 in 2019), ⁸ and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia ($15,000 in 2019). ⁹

Board of Directors

Leon Sokol is a former co-chair of the board of American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and sits on the executive committee of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. Sokol formerly worked as counsel to the New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission and the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission. ¹⁰ In 2021, Sokol was appointed as a member of the New Jersey Israel Commission. ¹¹

Other members of the board include board chair Jonathan Silverstein, vice-chair Shawn Sweeney, treasurer Lisa Ching, Russell Rothman, Danielle Nyman, Rabbi Paul Citrin, Dan Pava, Rebecca Smith, and Alan Schanzer. ¹²

1. ASPNI.” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 14, 2023. https://www.natureisrael.org/aspni
2. “ASPNI.” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 14, 2023. https://www.natureisrael.org/aspni.
3. ^[1] “Environmental Protection Department (EPD).” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 16, 2023. https://www.natureisrael.org/EPD.
4. Energy.” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 16, 2023. https://www.natureisrael.org/EPD/Energy.
5. Current Campaigns.” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 16, 2023. https://www.natureisrael.org/Campaigns.
6. “Field Schools.” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 16, 2023. https://natureisrael.org/FieldSchools.
7. Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Schedule I, Part II.
8. Jewish National Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
9. Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
10. ^[1] “Leon J. Sokol.” Cullen and Dykman LLP, 2023. Accessed January 14, 2023. https://www.cullenllp.com/attorneys/leon-j-sokol/.
11. “Leon J. Sokol Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy as Member of the New Jersey Israel Commission.” Cullen and Dykman LLP, June 25, 2021. Accessed January 14, 2023. https://www.cullenllp.com/blog/leon-j-sokol-appointed-by-governor-phil-murphy-as-member-of-the-new-jersey-israel-commission/.
12. “Nature Israel Board of Directors.” The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2023. Accessed January 14, 2023. https://www.natureisrael.org/aspni/Board-of-Directors.