Amitzim & Hinuch with Visiting Educator Cantor Malachi Kanfer
Adat-haAmitzim chanichim (campers) were treated today during Hinuch (education) to music and dancing, with Cantor Malachi Kanfer (bio below), Visiting Educator. Cantor Kanfer taught the words and the tunes, and beautifully accompanied the happy and tuneful chanichim on his trusty guitar. Multiple versions of Hineh Ma Tov uMah Naim were sung, and the chanichim discussed the connection between this song and the importance of spending time together with new and old friends. The favorite version: singing the song as though we were underwater! The activity concluded with a round of boisterous dancing.
Educators Yona Goldman, Shani Calderon, and Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone (bio below) were also part of this Tzevet Hinuch (education staff).
Cantor Malachi Kanfer
Malachi Kanfer, baritone, is the Cantor at Congregation B’nai Jacob in Woodbridge, Connecticut, a position he has held since 2013. He is particularly proud of his pastoral work in the community, as well as his educational work for both children and adults. Malachi also directs choirs and instrumental ensembles, officiates at life-cycle events, and concertizes. In Fall 2016, B’nai Jacob released “The Music of Congregation B’nai Jacob with Cantor Malachi Kanfer,” a professionally recorded album feauturing many community members.
Previously, Malachi served as the High Holidays Hazzan at Congregation Agudas Achim in Columbus, Ohio from 2010 – 2013. He graduated from the H.L. Miller Cantorial School in May, 2017, and has received numerous awards from the school, including the Cantor’s Assembly Alumni Award, the Rose S. Rovine Prize in Liturgical Music, and the A.J. Weisgal Award. Malachi graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 2012, where he performed many operatic roles in both Oberlin and in Italy. He lives in New Haven, CT with his beloved dog, James.
Andrew Pepperstone
After his ordination, Rabbi Pepperstone and his family moved to Louisville, KY, where his wife, Cantor Paula Pepperstone, was the first female cantor at Keneseth Israel Congregation. Rabbi Pepperstone directed the Louisville USY chapter, taught at and directed the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, served as the Assistant Rabbi for Youth and Education at Keneseth Israel Congregation, and worked on many other Jewish educational projects. In 2007-2008, Rabbi Pepperstone also served as the President of the Louisville Board of Rabbis and Cantors.
After six years in Louisville, the Pepperstone family moved to Beachwood, OH, where Rabbi Pepperstone served as the first Rabbi-in-Residence at the Gross Schechter Day School, teaching students ranging from first grade through middle school and their parents. During his time there, Rabbi Pepperstone was instrumental in beginning a Family Beit Midrash, where parents and children learned Torah together, and a monthly Poker and Parsha group.
In addition to learning and teaching Torah, Rabbi Pepperstone also has interests in language, all things Apple, the culinary arts, stand-up comedy, film, science fiction and fantasy, young adult literature, really good board games, the development of quality Jewish board games, and music.
For the past year, he has also acquired over 800 followers on Twitter. If you look for @Rav_Pepperstone and follow him on Twitter, you will receive his regular Torah Tweets during the week.
Rabbi and Cantor Pepperstone have three children, Hadar, Aviyah, and Matan, and are delighted to belong to the Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas family.