Cantor Jason Kaufman

Cantor Jason Kaufman received cantorial ordination from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York City, where he also earned a Master’s degree in Sacred Music in 2010. A native of Monsey, New York, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he majored in voice and minored in Jewish Studies.

Guided by a deep passion for the cantorate and Jewish communal life, Cantor Kaufman has served Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, Virginia, since 2013. 

Cantor Kaufman holds several leadership roles within the progressive Jewish community and frequently uses his voice to speak out on issues of moral importance. He currently serves as vice chair of the URJ Commission on Social Action, is a Global Justice Fellow with American Jewish World Service, and is part of the J Street Rabbinical and Cantorial Cabinet. His dedication has been recognized with the American Conference of Cantors President’s Award for Volunteerism and the American Conference of Cantors Ba’al Chazon Award for Social Justice.

Cantor Kaufman has completed 14 marathons, including the Chicago Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and the Walt Disney World Marathon.

Cantor Kaufman lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his husband, Alexandria City Councilman, Kirk McPike.