Cantor will mix Jewish comedy with music

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 2, 2015) An Agoura Hills resident will share the rich heritage of Jewish comedy and music during a free show at California Lutheran University on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Cantor Kenny Ellis will combine humorous stories with Israeli, Yiddish, folk and popular music during the event from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Lundring Events Center on the Thousand Oaks campus.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Temple University. He formed his first band when he was in his late teens and worked at Jewish community centers and synagogues. He produced and hosted Jewish radio shows in Philadelphia and New York City and appeared at resorts in the Catskill Mountains, Miami Beach and in Israel. He also performed on an Israeli radio station.

After moving to the West Coast, Ellis appeared at the Improv, The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory in addition to Jewish community centers, synagogues and festivals.

In 2005, Ellis released a big band album called “Hanukkah Swings!” with jazzy adaptations of songs like “Swingin’ Dreidel” and “’Twas the Night Before Hanukkah” as well as original tunes like “Hanu-calypso.” He also compiled a comedy CD titled “The Man Behind the Matzoh Ball.”

Ellis has appeared in radio and television commercials and in movies and on television. He appeared in two syndicated children’s shows, “Nuts and Bolts” and “Comic Book Kids,” and was booked on “The Mike Douglas Show” and “The John Davidson Show.” He played a rabbi ordering a kosher meal in the 2015 comedy film “Larry Gaye – Renegade Male Flight Attendant.”

He earned a certificate of Hebrew education from Gratz College and worked with youths for many years. He taught video and radio production and wrote and directed shows for Jewish schools and camps.

Ellis was the cantor at the former Temple Beth Havorim in Agoura Hills for 15 years and since 2010 has led the congregation of Temple Beth Ami in Santa Clarita in song.

Lundring Events Center is in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, which is located north of Olsen Road between Campus Drive and Mountclef Boulevard.

The Office of Campus Ministry is sponsoring the free event. For more information, contact Rabbi Belle Michael at bmichae@callutheran.edu.