Orange Socks Podcast Exploring Jewish Art and Creativity with Yitzchok Moully

Eli Kaplan Wildman is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller based in Jerusalem, blending creativity with Jewish tradition to create impactful works of art. In this episode, Ellie shares his journey from set design and storytelling in New York to establishing himself as a creative force in Israel. The conversation explores Eli's innovative projects, including his unique unbound Haggadah and in...

Kalman Gavriel -  The Jerusalem Scribe, a master calligrapher and sofer based in Jerusalem’s Old City, shares his remarkable journey from Minnesota to the heart of Jerusalem. In this episode, Kalman shares his discovery of the spiritual depths of the Hebrew alphabet and the transformative process of becoming a sofer. He discusses the sacred art of creating STAM, and the profound connection he feel...

Yoram Raanan, a renowned artist living in Israel for nearly 50 years, invites us into his vibrant studio and shares his remarkable journey, where the land, Torah, and spirituality have profoundly shaped his art. From his beginnings as an art school graduate in Philadelphia to embracing life in Israel, Yoram's work is deeply inspired by Torah, the land, and the Jewish soul. In this candid conversat...

Sharon Skirter, a London-based artist known for her vibrant and soulful work, joins Orange Socks to share her inspiring journey. After stepping away from art following a challenging experience in her teenage years, Sharon rediscovered her creative voice and has since built a thriving career blending Jewish themes with modern aesthetics. Sharon reflects on the challenges of being a Jewish artist, b...

Anshie Kagan, a talented artist known for his vibrant and edgy pop art, joins Orange Socks for a lively and thought-provoking conversation. As a close friend and creative peer of Yitzchok Moully, Anshie shares his journey of blending tradition with modern artistic styles, using his work to connect Jewish ideas in a modern language. In this episode, the dynamic shifts as Anchi flips the script, cha...

Yakov Raskin, a rabbi, artist, and master of 3D renderings, joins Orange Socks to share his journey from a childhood fascination with design to becoming a global go-to for bringing bold, creative concepts to life. Yakov reflects on his upbringing, his early passion for 3D modeling, and how he turned that passion into a career that blends art, technical precision, and Chassidic values. In this epis...

Shlome J Hayun, a multidisciplinary artist with roots in pop art, abstract art, and Judaica, joins Orange Socks to share his creative journey. From his earliest experiments with oil paints to becoming a globally recognized artist, Shlomi reflects on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the art world as a proud Jew. He delves into the transformative power of faith, his leap from a corporate ca...

Hendel Futerfas, a Melbourne-based artist, joins Orange Socks to talk about his journey as a creative and how his Jewish identity shapes his work. Handel shares stories about his namesake’s legacy, his great uncle; Hendel Lieberman, the legendary chassidic artist, his early experiences in the art world, and how his connection to Chasidus inspires his creative process. He reflects on the challenges...

Miriam Leah (Droz) Gamliel shares her journey as a performer, educator, and advocate for Jewish women in the arts. As the founder of ATARA (Alliance for Torah and the Arts), Miriam Leah discusses her mission to provide a platform for Orthodox women to explore and express their creativity while staying true to their Jewish values. She reflects on her own experiences in musical theater and how her j...

Marc Lumer, a seasoned animator and children’s book illustrator, shares his journey in the creative world. With years of experience bringing characters and stories to life, Marc reflects on how his background and Jewish identity led him to projects that explore meaningful themes. His latest endeavor, however, carries a special significance—a collaboration with Mindy Blumenfeld on a story inspired...

Rabbi Yossi Paltiel explores Torah and Chassidus sharing their profound perspective on creativity. Known for his wide knowledge and lessons on Chassidus, Rabbi Paltiel explores how art can be a powerful way to connect with God and impact the world around us. Together with Yitzchok Moully, they discuss the balance between staying true to Jewish values and embracing creative freedom, the role of ima...

Leib Meadvin shares a deep dive into his lifelong journey as an artist, educator, and passionate music fan. Raised in a secular Jewish home, Leib shares how his path to observant Judaism was shaped by his early creative interests in art, music, and the Grateful Dead. From his time studying computer science and art in New York to following the Grateful Dead on tour, Leib discusses how his Jewish id...

Zash/ Zalman Wircberg, director of the Old City Jewish Art Center in Philadelphia, shares the opportunities and challenges of running a not for profit Jewish art gallery.  First Fridays in Philly bring hundreds of people to the streets of Old City, and Chabad was not going to miss out on the opportunity to share Judaism in this creative space, and with that the Old City Jewish Art Center began. Li...

Richard McBee, a pioneering figure in Jewish art, joins Orange Socks to share the incredible story of how his passion for art led him back to his Jewish roots. Raised in a secular household, Richard’s early years were spent immersed in the New York art scene, where he honed his skills as a figurative painter. However, it wasn’t until he began exploring biblical narratives through his artwork that...

Rami Ozeri, founder and director of the Jerusalem Biennale, joins Orange Socks to share his journey from economist to art visionary, creating a global platform for contemporary Jewish art - the Jerusalem Biennale. In this episode, Rami reflects on the creation and evolution of the Biennale, which has become a unique space for Jewish artists to explore their identities and express themselves within...

Mordy Kurtz, co-founder and frontman of Rogers Park Band, joins Orange Socks to dive into the unique blend of Yiddishkeit and folk music that defines their sound. Mordy shares the band’s mission to bring Jewish tradition to life through innovative melodies, storytelling, and a fresh approach to timeless themes. In this episode, he discusses the creative challenges of balancing authenticity with mo...

Hillel Smith, an artist at the forefront of Jewish contemporary art, joins Yitzchok Moully in this episode of ‘Orange Socks’ to share his journey from a young comic book enthusiast to a pioneering figure in Jewish visual expression. Together, they explore the challenges and rewards of integrating Jewish identity with creative practice, reflecting on how Hillel’s journey transformed from separate w...

Sam Griffin joins us to discuss how his life and work have been deeply affected by the tragic events of October 7th. A British-born artist who has made Israel his home, Sam shares how his experiences as a reserve combat soldier during the recent conflict have transformed his approach to art. Sam’s work, known for its blend of mark-making and erasure, now serves as a powerful response to the trauma...

Lenore Cohen shares her Syrian Jewish family history and how it informs her life and artwork. Lenore explores Arabic calligraphy and the importance of reclaiming the Jewish connection to Arabic for Jewish communities who were expelled from their countries. She uses her art to celebrate and shed light on her family's Arabic language and history from Aleppo, Syria. Lenore also shares her journey...

Michoel Muchnik, an artist whose journey took him from a free-spirited hippie lifestyle to becoming a renowned Hasidic artist. Michoel shares his transformative encounters with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose blessings and guidance profoundly influences his art. Listen as Michoel discusses how the Rebbe’s and the previous Rebbe’s Chassidus provides continued inspiration and parameters for his creativ...

Aviva and Eliyahu share their journey from their diverse backgrounds and spiritual journeys to co-founding Jewish sacred space, a home-based community center offering embodied meditative experiences, Join us as we explore their mission to rediscover and share the embodied wisdom within Judaism, creating sacred spaces that blend tradition with contemporary spiritual practices. Listeners please note...

Yitzchok Moully shares his compelling origin story, tracing his journey from the Australian outback to Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where he was profoundly influenced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  In this episode, Yitzchok recounts his transition from Australia, joining the Chabad community as a child, studying in Yeshivas, and receiving his Rabbinical Ordination. He goes on to describe his experiences a...

Avraham Vovsi shares his journey, from his upbringing in Australia to making Aliyah to Israel, in search of his Jewish identity. Avraham discusses his creative background, including his transition from film to painting and how his Jewish exploration has shaped his work. He delves into his experiences creating classical oil portraits that tell the stories of diverse subjects, exploring the intersec...

Alter Deitsch is a creative force behind the Sababa Music Festival and Torah VR. In this engaging conversation, Alter shares his journey from a traditional upbringing in Crown Heights to exploring various creative outlets. Discover the story behind Sababa Fest, a unique Jewish music festival that unites diverse Jewish communities in celebration. Alter also delves into the innovative Torah VR proje...

Meir Kruter, a multifaceted creative, refuses to be confined by a single label. Trained as a graphic designer at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, he explores a variety of creative outlets. Currently, his passion is focused on the fine art of portrait painting, where he meticulously constructs portraits of Rabbis and notable figures one square at a time, incorporating the Torah and texts...