WOODCLIFF LAKE—Approximately 150 people from the Pascack Hills High School and Valley Chabad Center for Jewish Living communities gathered Sunday evening for a solemn candle lighting ceremony to honor three members of the Dryerman family—David, Michele, and Brooke—who were tragically killed in a car crash over the weekend, and to extend love to son Max.
The ceremony, assembled in short order in response to the teens who had requested a gathering for support, was held outside at Valley Chabad’s new location on Chestnut Ridge Road, led by Rabbi Yosef and Estie Orenstein of the Teen Leadership Initiative, along with Valley Chabad’s executive director, Rabbi Dov Drizin. This was a first for the new grounds, as Valley Chabad’s occupancy is said to be months away. Those in attendance, including many of Brooke’s classmates, stood together—many visibly moved—to mourn, reflect, and support one another in the wake of this loss.
David and Michele Dryerman, both 54, and their 17-year-old daughter, Brooke, were remembered for their kindness, generosity, and strong ties to the community. It was noted that Max Dryerman, Brooke’s brother, was away at college when the accident occurred was on his way home. Services are said planned for Tuesday.
“We are all shocked and in such pain today,” Rabbi Yosef Orenstein said to those gathered. “A terrible accident took beloved parents, David and Michele, and their daughter Brooke, a dear friend to many of our teens. Baruch Dayan HaEmes [“blessed is the true judge”]. We gather to light a candle, pray, share memories, and do a mitzvah in memory of Brooke and her dear parents. Whether you knew the family or not, we are all hurting.”
The 45-minute ceremony featured prayers, personal reflections, and a call to perform a mitzvah (a good deed, as a conscious act of empathy and kindness) in memory of Brooke and her parents. Rabbi Yosef encouraged those present to support each other in the days ahead, particularly in school, where students were asked to connect with peers they hadn’t spoken with before—a simple act to honor Brooke’s memory.
The service included traditional Jewish prayers such as Shema Yisrael, an affirmation of faith in one God, and Adon Olam, a hymn expressing the eternal nature of God. Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” offered words of comfort and hope, while the Modeh Ani prayer was a reminder for the community to express gratitude each morning.
Drizin, who said in part, “This isn’t right; we shouldn’t be here today,” blew the shofar—a ram’s horn with deep roots in Jewish tradition—in a powerful moment of reflection. The shofar, traditionally sounded during the High Holy Days, serves as a call to awaken spiritually and consider how we live our lives. At this service, it was both a tribute and a call to action—a reminder to carry forward Brooke’s spirit of kindness and openness. Drizin’s gesture was a way to honor their memory while encouraging everyone to live with more intention.
The gathering was one of several efforts to provide space for mourning, reflection, and healing. For a list of resources emerging in response to this tragedy, visit our initial story. We will update this story.