Orange Socks Podcast Exploring Jewish Art and Creativity with Yitzchok Moully

Mirele Rosenberger is a classically trained musician who has spent over four decades weaving music, motherhood, and spiritual growth into a rich creative life. After finding her way to the Chabad community in her early twenties, Mirele has quietly become a creative force—offering her talents as a performer, educator, and collaborator in spaces where religious observance and artistic expression often wrestle for room.

In this conversation, Mirele speaks with Yitzchok Moully about the evolving role of creativity in frum life, the challenges and beauty of raising a family while staying connected to her art, and her newest project: a band of Hasidic women musicians creating music that is both spiritually resonant and artistically alive. It’s a warm, candid look at what it means to stay true to your calling—across seasons, communities, and stages of life.

About Mirele Rosenberger

Since 1969, Mirele has taught music to dancers and accompanied their dance classes on piano and percussion in various colleges and universities, some of which are University of Maryland, Julliard Schools of Dance, Drama, and Opera, Sarah Lawrence College, Purchase University, N.Y.U., and the Connecticut College for Dance in New London. Mirele was commissioned to compose two pieces for a professional dance company, the Liz Keene Dance Company, which have been performed throughout North America. During this time, she became a religious Jew and mother of eight children. Her husband, a virtuoso jazz guitarist, formed a chassinah band with me, which has had the pleasure of providing music to numerous chossons and kallahs. In 1986, Mirele became the musical director and pianist for world-known Israeli singer, Ruthie Navon, with whom she traveled the world, doing all-women’s concerts as far as Melbourne, Australia and Curitiba, Brazil.

https://www.artsandtorah.org/rosenbergermirele/
The New Moon All Stars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jItnCC4UNg&list=RD4jItnCC4UNg&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR71Rmgqx6Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvWu_rfWLVM&list=RDdvWu_rfWLVM&start_radio=1

Artists and creatives Mirele thinks you should know:

Laura Melnicoff  https://lauramelnicoff.com

Nigun Quartet https://www.nigunquartet.com/ 

Nelly Efron -  https://www.instagram.com/nellyefronmusic

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Menachem Weinreb is an award-winning illustrator and art director whose work lives at the intersection of design, storytelling, and Torah. In this episode, Menachem joins Yitzchok Moully for a deep dive into his creative journey—from his early fascination with drawing to leading the visual identity of Mishpacha Magazine and founding AmudArt, a studio that brings bold, contemporary illustration to timeless Torah themes.

But this conversation goes deeper than just career milestones. Together, they talk about the real need for creative community—especially for Jewish artists navigating both religious and artistic identities. Menachem opens up about the isolation that can come with this work, the hunger for authentic feedback, and why spaces of collaboration, support, and shared values are essential for creative growth.

This episode is a meaningful look at what it takes to build not just great work—but a culture that sustains it.

About Menachem:

Menachem Weinreb is an award-winning art director and illustrator known for blending visual storytelling with spiritual depth. He leads design at Mishpacha Magazine and is the creative force behind AmudArt, a studio merging Torah themes with bold illustration. His work spans editorial, branding, packaging, and children’s books.

https://www.instagram.com/meweinreb/

amudart.com

https://a.co/d/bl3M7lS

Artists and creatives Menachem thinks you should know:

Marc Lumer - https://marclumer.com/

Chaïm Soutine - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cha%C3%AFm_Soutine

Art Spiegelman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Spiegelman

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Carol Man’s journey is anything but ordinary. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Carol discovered Judaism as an adult and eventually converted—an experience that deeply shaped both her identity and her art. In this episode, she joins Yitzchok Moully to share her path from a corporate life in Asia to becoming a visual artist living a Jewish life in Israel.

Carol’s artwork blends her Chinese heritage with her Jewish identity in powerful, visual ways—most strikingly through her use of Hebrew letters to form the shapes of Chinese characters. Her work becomes a dialogue between cultures, languages, and traditions, exploring questions of belonging, transformation, and spiritual searching. With warmth and insight, Carol reflects on what it means to build a new life—and express it boldly through art.

About Carol:Carol Man is a visual artist whose work bridges cultures, languages, and traditions, creating a dynamic dialogue between Chinese and Jewish heritage. Through painting, calligraphy, and installation, she explores the fluidity of identity and the interplay between history and personal transformation. Her calligraphy technique—melding Chinese and Hebrew script—serves as both a meditative practice and a visual exploration of how language carries memory, meaning, and spiritual depth.

Since earning her Master of Visual Arts in 2015, Carol has exhibited internationally, with shows in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, and the United States. As a member of the Jewish Art Salon, she engages in creative conversations that challenge perceptions and inspire cross-cultural connections. Her work invites viewers to embrace the richness of shared traditions while celebrating the spontaneity and playfulness that emerge when cultures meet.

https://carolxman.com

https://www.instagram.com/carolxman/

Artists and creatives Carol thinks you should know:https://www.yonaverwer.com/https://queensmuseum.org/exhibition/mierle-laderman-ukeles-maintenance-art/https://www.lenorecohen.com/

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com

Anne Hromadka Greenwald is a curator, community builder, and champion of Jewish creativity. In this episode, recorded live at the Jewish Street Art Festival, Anne joins Yitzchok Moully for a thoughtful conversation about her work with the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County and her passion for making Jewish art visible, accessible, and relevant.T

hey talk about what it means to support artists without having a traditional museum space, the importance of public art in Jewish life, and how creativity can bring people together—especially in times of uncertainty. With clarity and care, Anne shares why storytelling through art matters and how she’s working to create platforms that let Jewish artists speak in their own voices.

About Anne:

As the founding principal of AMH Art Advisory, Anne Hromadka Greenwald has consulted with a select group of artists, non-profits, museums, and commercial galleries to develop their goals and increase their exposure in the public sphere and marketplace. As a result, she brings a solid foundation of 17+ years of professional arts management experience. Following her double Masters in Non-Profit Management from HUC and Public Art from USC, she established herself in the fine arts world and Jewish cultural landscape. She has directed commercially successful galleries, curated exhibitions, and designed large-scale events domestically and internationally. Her curatorial practice is rooted in a love for storytelling – bringing together communities to explore their narratives in the public sphere through interactive design. As a creator and organizer, Hromadka Greenwald has consistently contributed to building the Jewish arts and culture field in Southern California and beyond.

https://jcfoc.org/

https://jcfoc.org/weissman-arts/

https://www.amhartadvisory.com

https://www.instagram.com/amhromadka/

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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 You tube

https://www.youtube.com/@OrangeSocksPodcast

Connect with Yitzchok Moully

https://www.instagram.com/moullyart/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Alejandro Glatt is a Mexican-Jewish artist whose vibrant and unexpected medium—fruit, especially the papaya—has become a powerful symbol of Jewish resilience and joy. But after living through October 7th in Tel Aviv, his art took on new urgency. In this episode, Alejandro speaks with Yitzchok Moully about the trauma, the fear, and the wave of antisemitism that followed—and how he chose to respond not with silence, but with more color, more presence, and more unapologetic Jewish creativity.

They talk about resilience through beauty, the power of reclaiming public space with joy, and why Jewish visibility matters now more than ever. Alejandro shares how he's using art to shift narratives, connect people, and remind the world that joy itself can be an act of defiance. This is a powerful and timely conversation about art, identity, and showing up boldly—even when it’s hard.

More about Alejandro:

https://www.instagram.com/alejandroglatt

https://alejandroglatt.com/

Artists and creatives Alejandro thinks you should know:

https://www.instagram.com/pilpeled?igsh=emo4YjJ6MHd2Y3dn

https://www.instagram.com/theshvesters?igsh=MXg2ZnB5Y2p3cGR6MA==

https://www.instagram.com/smarcusart?igsh=MWxjeHd4dWs5ODg5Ng==

https://www.instagram.com/orlyanan?igsh=MTQ4ZHAxaDJ3amhk

https://www.instagram.com/timetobehappygallery?igsh=MTNmZWV1YTRha2Q3eA==

https://www.instagram.com/tylergoldflower?igsh=bTR6ajhyMDZ0aG1n

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Israel Portnoy is a musician whose work is rooted in emotion, honesty, and a search for meaning. In this episode, he joins Yitzchok Moully for a heartfelt conversation about growing up in a musical family, the quiet influence of Jewish identity, and how living in Israel has shaped his creative voice.

They explore the tension between authenticity and perfection, the spiritual depth that comes from making honest music, and what it means to create from a place of vulnerability. With warmth and insight, Israel shares how songwriting has helped him stay grounded—through faith, fatherhood, and the ever-changing music world.

More about Israel:

Website: https://www.israelportnoymusic.com/

All Socials: @Israelportnoymusichttps://www.instagram.com/israelportnoymusic/

Latest release - "YIZKOR"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0N0WW8Zhls

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Mike Wirth, muralist, designer, educator, and creative technologist, joins Orange Socks for a mind-bending conversation that bridges art, AI, and Jewish mysticism. From his early experiments with generative art in the 90s to his current work integrating artificial intelligence into creative practice, Mike offers a rare perspective on how new tools can shape how we imagine, make, and share. Along the way, he and Yitzchok dive deep into the nature of creativity itself—through the lens of Chassidus, the sefirot, and what it means to surrender to the unknown. This episode is a thoughtful, sometimes funny, always inspiring exploration of how artists can stay grounded in soul while pushing the boundaries of what's possible.More about Mike:https://mikewirthart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mikewirth/

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Jon Madof is a genre-bending guitarist, composer, and bandleader whose journey through music and Judaism is anything but typical. In this candid and thoughtful episode, Jon opens up about discovering music through American folk and classic rock, navigating the jazz and experimental scenes of New York, and finding his Jewish identity along the way. He shares how artists like John Zorn helped spark his connection to Jewish music, and how becoming Shomer Shabbos reshaped his career. From leading his acclaimed band Zion80 to working day jobs while staying true to his art, Jon speaks openly about the tension between creative integrity, spiritual growth, and professional ambition. This episode is a deep dive into the life of a Jewish artist striving to stay authentic in both sound and soul.

More about Jon:https://www.jonmadof.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jonmadof

https://www.youtube.com/user/jonmadof

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KJmOEGrSlTu65V0Pb69h2?si=4I3U1VgLQpqosZBJN56eKg

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Sruli Brooker is a musician and creative thinker who isn’t afraid to speak honestly about the ups and downs of the artistic journey. In this episode, he joins Yitzchok Moully for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, creative expression, and the struggle to show up authentically—especially as a Jewish artist.

They talk about the fear of calling yourself an artist, the post-October 7 shift in how art is being made and received, and the quiet importance of making things even when no one’s watching. With humor and heart, Sruli shares his thoughts on Jewish art, the limits of the social media algorithms, and why it’s okay—maybe even holy—for creativity to be a little messy.

About Sruly:

https://www.instagram.com/srulibroocker/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/srulibroocker/

https://soundcloud.com/sruli-broocker

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/

Chaim Aaron Green is a filmmaker navigating the challenges of staying true to his Jewish values while working in the film industry. In this episode, he shares his journey from working on major film productions in New York to stepping away from the industry, only to find his way back on his own terms.

Chaim and Yitzchok discuss the struggles of being a religious artist in a world that often clashes with Jewish life, the need for more authentic Jewish storytelling, and the realities of independent filmmaking. Through personal stories and honest reflections, Chaim opens up about the tension between creativity and faith, the challenges of making meaningful art, and what it takes to build a career without compromising on who you are.

More about Chaim:

https://www.behindthebeardmedia.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-a-green-70b88618a/

More about Orange Socks:

Contact us at [email protected]

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/

https://www.moullyart.com/