Meet Israel Portnoy

Israel Portnoy is an artist, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and “once-a-year-Cantor” hailing from Hale, Cheshire, UK, and currently residing in the land of his namesake, Israel. His first solo project, a concept album named “Facing Flames feat. Guilda” launched May 23, 2020, with its title-track, (lead-single) alongside an inspiring music video. The date commemorates the one year anniversary of a forest fire that destroyed everything he owned and burned through Mevo Modi’im, a village in central Israel where Portnoy lived at the time. His entire musical instrument collection and countless books of lyrics, journals and poetry, and recorded music were obliterated within hours and without prior warning. The only thing he was left with was “Guilda” - his vintage ‘63 12-string guitar, which he had taken with him as he left his house earlier that day. Having lost so much, “Guilda” eventually became his well-needed pivot to reconnect him back with the world and inspire him to write once again.

In addition to his solo work, Portnoy has been involved in projects like "Sacred Singing," where he revitalizes classic Hebrew, English, and Yiddish songs with fresh arrangements produced by Mendy Portnoy at Farbrengable Studios. This initiative aims to enrich the community through Jewish songs.