Israel Portnoy


Israel "Sruli" Portnoy is an English-born Israeli singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as half of the band The Portnoy Brothers with his younger brother Mendy. He also has a solo career and has released albums as a solo artist, most notably Facing Flames ft. Guilda, which was released in the aftermath of a forest fire burning his home in the village of Mevo Modi'im.

Early life

Portnoy was born in Manchester, England, as the sixth of nine children. His father is a rabbi and former orchestra conductor. He and five other siblings made aliyah to Israel as adults, though, as of August 2023, Portnoy has been residing in the United States.
He and his brother Mendy studied music from a young age and began playing together around age 14, though Sruli said he began "making up songs" from as early as age 6. He originally took piano lessons, with Mendy taking guitar, before the two switched.
At age 16, Portnoy moved to Israel to study at yeshiva but said that he "spent most of time in room with guitar" and subsequently left to study at Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute and later on the Rimon School for Jazz & Contemporary Music for a year and a half before leaving to find more creative freedom.
Portnoy performed on Israeli interactive reality singing competition Rising Star in 2022 advancing beyond the first round.

Discography

With Portnoy Brothers

Albums

  • Facing Flames
  • ''House of Prayer''

Extended plays

Guilda LIVE Lookout Session EP

Singles

  • "Peace of Prayer / Shalom"
  • "Aura"
  • "Mi Haish"
  • "Baby Boo"
  • "Heart & Soul Medley"
  • "Shalom "
  • "IMADI"
  • "HASHIVENU"
  • "Seed of Abraham" featuring Hasidic Billboard Charting Artist, Moshe Reuven
  • "GESHEM / LET IT RAIN"
  • "Yizkor / Let Us Remember"
  • "NEW DAY WILL RISE"