Lest you think Matisyahu’s Hasidic Jewish look is an act, Judy Peiser of the Center for Southern Folklore tells the Commercial Appeal that on Friday the Center, in association with the Jewish Federation, a web community called Jewlicious.com, and the Jewish organization Birthright, hosted a Shabbat dinner for the reggae rapper and about 100 members of the local Jewish community.

“Anytime he goes into a city, he wants to celebrate the Shabbat with the locals because he doesn’t like to stay in his hotel room alone,” says Peiser.

The next day about 100 people gathered in Matisyahu’s suite at the downtown Marriot to perform the Kiddush, a blessing tradition to sanctify the Shabbat. (My apologies to the Jewish community if I am completely misinterpreting their traditions.)

“I actually got to do the blessing over the Torah before he [Matisyahu] read from it,” said music manager Charlie Burch, who was in attendance.