Elie Kaunfer (b. 1973) is an American rabbi who serves as president and CEO of Yeshivat Hadar in Manhattan. Kaunfer has been named as a leading American rabbi by The Forward and Newsweek.
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.
Kaunfer authored a book (with a preface by Jonathan Sarna) on the rise of independent Jewish congregations and their contribution to building Jewish communities:
Other publications include: