Jewish Music Makes History: Ishay Ribo to Headline First-Ever Open-Air Music Festival at Bethel Woods

By: Carl Schwartzbaum

In a groundbreaking moment for Jewish music and cultural unity, the first-ever large-scale open-air Jewish music festival will take place this summer at the iconic Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in the Catskills. Slated for Thursday, August 7 — the 13th of Av, just before Shabbos Nachamu — the historic event, titled Yamim Ba’im (“New Days are Coming”), will be headlined by none other than Israeli superstar Ishay Ribo, with special guest performances by Chasidic music legend Avraham Fried, along with Zusha and Shmuel.

As VIN News reported on Thursday, the upcoming festival represents a transformative moment not only for Jewish music but for the cultural vibrancy of the broader Jewish community. It will mark the first time that Bethel Woods — the revered site of the original 1969 Woodstock festival — plays host to a full-scale, outdoor Jewish music celebration. Thousands are expected to attend from across the tri-state area and beyond, making it one of the most significant gatherings of its kind in recent memory.

Nestled amid the rolling hills of the Catskills, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is regarded as one of America’s most scenic and acoustically renowned open-air venues. The site has welcomed some of the most legendary performers in music history, from Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin to modern icons. Now, as the report at VIN News emphasized, the stage is being set for a milestone night in Jewish musical history, as Jewish artists take center stage in a venue that has long symbolized artistic freedom and collective celebration.

The main attraction, Ishay Ribo, is no stranger to breaking barriers. In recent years, he has risen to international acclaim, selling out venues like Madison Square Garden and redefining the sound of Jewish music with his soulful blend of traditional spirituality and contemporary appeal. His lyrics — deeply rooted in Torah, faith, and personal introspection — have struck a powerful chord with audiences around the world. As VIN News highlights, this concert will be Ribo’s largest North American performance to date and marks a new chapter in his already remarkable career.

Joining Ribo is Avraham Fried, whose four-decade career has made him one of the most cherished voices in Jewish music. Known for his infectious joy, masterful showmanship, and timeless melodies, Fried’s appearance adds a layer of nostalgia and spiritual uplift to an already powerhouse lineup. Also taking the stage are Zusha, the genre-defying trio known for their blend of Hasidic soul, folk, and jazz, and Shmuel, an up-and-coming artist whose heartfelt songs are quickly earning him a devoted fanbase.

According to the VIN News report, the festival is not merely about music — it’s about unity, identity, and celebration. Yamim Ba’im has been designed as a moment of togetherness: a time to reconnect through song, spirit, and shared purpose. Held just days after Tisha B’Av and on the eve of Shabbos Nachamu — a time traditionally associated with comfort and renewal — the event taps into a deep spiritual current.

With its vast green lawns, sweeping natural vistas, and state-of-the-art production capabilities, Bethel Woods offers a backdrop of breathtaking beauty. As the report at VIN News noted, the location itself reflects the ethos of the event — drawing inspiration from history while creating something entirely new. “It’s a place where Jewish music will not just be heard,” one organizer told VIN News, “but where it will echo through a space steeped in cultural significance.”

The event is expected to draw a wide spectrum of the Jewish community — from Modern Orthodox and Chasidic families to Israeli expats and music lovers of all ages. It is being hailed as a cultural milestone that signals the continued evolution and mainstream resonance of Jewish music in the American landscape.

Tickets for Yamim Ba’im are currently available on Ticketmaster.com. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, VIP packages and additional information can be found at Yamimbaim.com.

As the VIN News report indicated, the festival’s organizers view this event not simply as a concert, but as a declaration — a declaration of Jewish pride, unity, and the enduring power of music to bring people together. With world-class performers, a legendary venue, and an atmosphere charged with spiritual and communal energy, Yamim Ba’im is poised to become a landmark moment in the history of Jewish cultural expression in America.