American Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu [ tickets ], who has just released a new album and concert DVD set, is getting ready for his first Festival of Light Hanukkah tour, which includes a three-night stand at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom in mid-December.

Other cities he'll visit on the outing are Washington, DC; Philadelphia; Boston; and Providence, RI. Details are listed below.

Matisyahu's new album, "No Place To Be," features seven new songs recorded with reggae production team Sly & Robbie, and additional remixes produced by AdRock (Beastie Boys) and Bill Laswell, who produced the artist's March release, "Youth." A few songs from "Youth" are streaming at Matisyahu's MySpace page.

The new album is coupled with the "Live In Israel" DVD, which was shot in December 2005, according to a press release. The concert footage is intercut with interviews and street performances from Jerusalem. The DVD also includes the new music video for the single "Jerusalem."

Described by Esquire magazine as "the most intriguing reggae artist in the world," Matisyahu is constantly lauded as an energetic live performer. He fuses Orthodox Judaism, classic reggae and hip-hop to get across his messages of peace and unity, according to his website.

So far, Matisyahu has one date on the books for next year; he'll appear with Widespread Panic, Toots & the Maytals, Soulive, Pepper, MMW, O.A.R. and Spearhead at the Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise, FL, March 11.