After the family's emigration in 1937, he attended Eitz Chaim Day Schools in Toronto,[1] then studied at Ner Israel Rabbinical College under his father's cousin, Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman.

Kamenetsky is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America[5][6] and serves on the rabbinical board of organizations including Chinuch Atzmai (Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals.

Kamenetsky's opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction,[7] child molestation,[8] obesity and dieting,[9] smoking,[10] and drinking alcohol to excess on Purim.

[13] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamenetsky denied that he ever instructed anyone to refuse to take the vaccine, stating that a letter publicized to this effect was a forgery.

[16][17] In July 2020, Kamenetsky endorsed the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign, stating "Yes, I think people should vote for him.