Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky

Bnai David - Judea Congregation (Caulfield Shul)

March 5, 2019

Yosef Kanefsky is the senior rabbi at Los Angeles’ B’nai David – Judea Congregation, which he has had the privilege of serving since 1996. Prior to coming to B’nai David, he served as the Associate Rabbi for six years at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. During Rabbi Kanefsky’s tenure, B’nai David has developed into a significant hub of Tikkun Olam activity, with a particular focus on the enormous homeless population of Los Angeles. Twice yearly, in December and on Purim, the congregation assembles “survival kits” consisting of food, clothing and hygiene items, and distributes the kits to hundreds of the city’s homeless. In addition, the shul hosts 8-9 lunches per year to which the city’s poor and homeless are invited as honored guests. Students from the local Day Schools and Yeshiva High Schools serve as the wait staff and as the entertainment providers. B’nai David’s commitment to being part of the larger LA community also includes support of refugee families in Southern California, and a long-running programming partnership with the Islamic Center of Southern California. Rabbi Kanefsky values his deep relationships with his rabbinic colleagues in the city, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox. He has served as President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis. He is married to Sari Abrams, and they have 3 wonderful sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law.