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 was also a co-founder of the
independent minyan Kehilat Hadar 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.
Publications Kaunfer authored a book (with a preface by
Jonathan Sarna) on the rise of independent Jewish congregations and their contribution to building Jewish communities: • Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities (Jewish Lights, 2010). Other publications include: • Kaunfer, E. (2019) Applying Jewish Wisdom to Philanthropy: The Case of Aggripas and the Sages,
Journal of Jewish Education 85(4), 349-361. == See also ==