Yaakov Shwekey on the passing of Tanchum Portnoy A”H: “A number of years ago, I was singing at a wedding when a man came over to me and said, You might not know me…my name is Eitz Chaim.’

I said, “Wait, your first name is Eitz, and your last name is Chaim?”

He laughed. “No, no! My name is Tanchum Portnoy. I composed Eitz Chaim. That’s just what people know me by.”

‘Il never forget that conversation. We spoke about the mark he made on the Jewish music world, and how many people sing his composition.

Yihi Zichro Baruch. ”

🎙Yaakov Shwekey on the passing of Tanchum Portnoy A"H: "A number of years ago, I was singing at a wedding when a man came over to me and said, You might not know me…my name is Eitz Chaim.'

I said, "Wait, your first name is Eitz, and your last name is Chaim?"

He laughed. "No,… pic.twitter.com/VlLFbCbwB6

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) September 18, 2026