Mendy Portnoy shares his journey from a musical London household to becoming a producer, performer, and creative force behind projects like Thank You Hashem. Growing up surrounded by siblings who sang and played instruments, Mendy discovered his gift for music by ear long before formal lessons. He reflects on learning piano out of curiosity and sibling rivalry, the soulful influences that shaped his sound, and the deep sense of connection music brings—whether through late-night jam sessions or synagogue melodies that unite communities.
In this conversation, we explore how Mendy’s creative path took him from family harmonies to international performances and into the world of music production. He opens up about finding authenticity in art, balancing soul with technique, and building a life around creativity while staying grounded in family. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his work with Thank You Hashem, where he helps shape a modern Jewish creative “lighthouse” that blends music, media, and inspiration. Mendy’s advice for young creatives: trust your gut, ignore the noise, and make the art that feels true to you
About Mendy:https://www.instagram.com/mendyportnoy
https://www.youtube.com/user/pianobyear1/videos
Artists Mendy thinks you should know:Omri Mor
https://www.instagram.com/omrimormusic - https://www.jamd.ac.il/en/node/7478
Israel Portnoy - https://www.instagram.com/israelportnoymusic/?hl=en
Tsivia Abraham - https://www.instagram.com/tsiviaabraham_art
More about Orange Socks:
Contact us at orangesockspodcast@gmail.com
Now on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orange-socks-podcast/id1749369628
On Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Ec3LbPdujZG531xKLPssh?si=381bf3bb2b624ffd
On Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/@OrangeSocksPodcast
Connect with Yitzchok Moully
https://www.instagram.com/moullyart/