Elie Kaunfer (b. 1973[1][2]) is an American rabbi who serves as president and CEO of Yeshivat Hadar in Manhattan.[3] Kaunfer has been named as a leading American rabbi by The Forward and Newsweek.[4][5]
Elie Kaunfer received a doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America; his dissertation concerned Jewish liturgy. Kaunfer was a co-founder and served as the executive director of Mechon Hadar (Hadar Institute), also known as Yeshivat Hadar. He also was a co-founder of the independent minyan Kehilat Hadar which is affiliated with the institute. Additionally, he served as a fellow at the Avi Chai Foundation. Aside from his rabbinic role at Hadar, Kaunfer worked in journalism and banking.[6]
Kaunfer co-authored a book with Jonathan Sarna on the rise of independent Jewish congregations and their contribution to building Jewish communities:[7]
Other publications include: