Tu b'Av Festival of Love

Click here for the schedule of activities.

Click here for the list of performers.

Parking:

There are very few parking spaces on Phipps grounds. Festival parking will be available in the lot adjacent to Knight Academy, on Exposition and Belcaro. The Tu B'Av Jewish Festival of Love is a free event hosted by Judaism Your Way.

What is Tu B'Av and What Happens at the Festival of Love?

The Talmud says "Never were there any more joyous festivals in Israel than Tu B'Av and Yom Kippur, when the daughters of Jerusalem would go dance in the vineyards, saying, 'Young men, look well whom you are about to choose.'" Today, in Israel, Tu B'Av had become a festival of love, with dance, and music festivals, the giving of roses, and dedicating love songs on the radio. It is a popular date for weddings, commitment ceremonies and proposing.

Convinced that it's time to put a celebration of love back on the Jewish calendar, Judaism Your Way created Colorado's first Tu B'Av festival last year with live music, dancing, storytelling, wine tasting, grape stomping, vow and commitment renewal ceremonies, kids activities and food to inspire love and romance.

New this year we're adding presentations about love and relationships offered by outstanding teachers and therapists including Rabbi Brian Field, Dr. Ben Cohen and Dr. Rae Sandler Simon.

In addition, Dr. Cohen will offer a two hour workshop just before the festival begins for couples and singles, entitled "Navigating the Path of Intimacy." Click here for more information about this special event.

Other new highlights are "Love Stories for Grownups" told by Eve Ilsen and sacred dancing with Eyal Rivlin and Sara Rain.

Truly an event for all ages, there will be musical entertainment on the main stage by the Borscht Brothers, Bat Kol, and Shalom Feivel and Rocky Mountain Jewgrass. Cowboy Hersh will be there to entertain the younger children. Denver folk legend, Harry Tuft, will lead an outdoor song circle, so bring your acoustic instruments.

There will be Judaica artists displaying and selling their work and a variety of Jewish community organizations hosting special activities for the kids.

Click here for the schedule of activities.

Renewing Your Love Under the Huppa

Last year Rabbi Brian Field of Judaism Your Way conducted several vow/commitment renewal ceremonies for couples under the huppa. These were very popular and attended by many of the festival goers. A limited number of these ceremonies are available this year, as well. Contact Rabbi Brian at 303-320-6185 if you would like to reserve a spot.

Wine Tasting

To help us further connect with the grape harvest aspect of Tu B'Av, Turquoise Mesa Winery will be offering tastings of their outstanding vintages and have glasses and bottles of wine for sale.

Food and Drink

Phipps Tennis Pavilion and Gardens does not allow picnics. So we have arranged for Falafel King to be there to sell their fabulous Middle Eastern food. And Little Man Ice Cream will also be on sight for anyone wanting a delicious ice cream cone.

Other Important Info

Unfortunately, dogs and other pets are not permitted on the grounds of the Festival. The Festival will take place rain or shine as we are able to house all activities inside the Tennis Pavilion if necessary. Our plan is to have lots of the festival outdoors and as it will be August, sunscreen and insect repellent would be a good idea.

How Can You Help?

For a successful event, we need many volunteers to offer an hour or two of their time. Please click here for details of opportunities to help us make this year's festival event bigger and better than our first.