Scholar in Residence Weekend
featuring Rabbi Elie Kaunfer
featuring Rabbi Elie Kaunfer
Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6
About our Scholar
Rabbi Elie Kaunfer is President and CEO of the Hadar Institute, a center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian communities in North America and Israel. Elie has previously worked as a journalist, banker, and corporate fraud investigator. A graduate of Harvard College, he completed his doctorate in liturgy at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he was also ordained. He also received semikhah from his long-time teacher, Rav Daniel Landes. A Wexner Graduate Fellow and Dorot Fellow, Elie has been named multiple times to Newsweek’s list of the top 50 rabbis in America. He was selected as an inaugural AVI CHAI Fellow, and is the author of Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities (Jewish Lights, 2010). Elie serves on the board of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and on the advisory board of Upstart.
The Weekend's Schedule
Friday, December 5
6:00PM: Kabbalat Shabbat
6:45PM: Learning with Rabbi Kaunfer
"Unlocking Meaning in the Words of the Siddur"
As Jews we spend a lot of time praying, but not a lot of time looking at the texts of our prayers for meaning and understanding. In this session, we will explore a method that will aim to deepen your own engagement with prayer through rigorous interpretation. We will examine questions such as: Are traditional prayer formulas able to express my own values/ideas of prayer? What do you do when you "disagree" with the prayer's content? How can I interpret the siddur in a grounded and traditional yet creative manner?
7:30PM: Shabbat Dinner
Saturday, December 6
9:00AM: Shabbat Morning Services featuring a sermon from Rabbi Kaunfer
"Can Doubters Pray?"
Does traditional Jewish prayer make room for people who have doubts about God and/or doubts about the efficacy of prayer? How might an approach to rethinking the meaning of prayers open up new possibilities for the skeptics among us?
12:00PM: Kiddush lunch
12:30PM (following kiddush): Learn with Rabbi Kaunfer
"Stepping Into Prayer"
Before the Amidah, we take three steps forward. What is the origin of this custom, and what is the symbolism of these steps? We will explore a number of approaches, all oriented to deepen our connection with God.
5:00PM: Mincha
5:30PM: Shaleshudis Study with Rabbi Kaunfer
"The Mourner's Kaddish - A New Interpretation"
Join us as we explore the essence of the Kaddish, perhaps the most misunderstood prayer in Judaism. We will go on an interpretive journey that has implications for all prayers we say. Along the way we will encounter the power of the Kaddish, a poignant depiction of God’s relationship with us, and what people can offer the Divine.
Ma'ariv and Havdalah will follow learning
Please consider sponsoring this special weekend
$3,600 and up – Presenting Sponsor
Private lunch session with Rabbi Kaunfer on Friday, December 5 for 4 attendees
4 Shabbat Dinner Tickets
Sponsor of kiddush following Saturday morning services
Name prominently listed on marketing materials where sponsors are mentioned
$1,000 – Platinum Sponsor
Private lunch session with Rabbi Kaunfer on Friday, December 5 for 2 attendees
4 Shabbat Dinner Tickets
Name listed on marketing materials where sponsors are mentioned
$540 – Gold Sponsor
4 Shabbat Dinner Tickets
Name listed on marketing materials where sponsors are mentioned
$360 – Silver Sponsor
2 Shabbat Dinner Tickets
Name listed on marketing materials where sponsors are mentioned
A special thank you to our Yad and Sefer Torah Giving Societies for making weekends like this possible.
Mon, November 3 2025 12 Cheshvan 5786