A calm night sky with hundreds of stars
Sunday, December 13, 2026

Bright Stars

A calm night sky with hundreds of stars
Sunday, December 13, 2026
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Event Schedule
Contact Us

For more information contact us at: brightstars@alexanderjfs.org

Event Overview

In the spirit of honor and community, we are writing to invite you to participate in our seventh annual Bright Stars Ceremony of Light and Remembrance to honor the lives of our beloved ones who lost their lives due to mental illness, suicide, substance use, or unexpected death. The Bright Stars ceremony honors loved ones on or around the holiday of Chanukah- the Jewish season of light.

We understand that each loss is tender and unique. We want to remember how our loved ones lived their life. Our Bright Stars ceremony will be a small private event at Alexander Jewish Family Service, with an optional virtual livestream.

We welcome all those who have experienced a tragic loss to the Bright Stars ceremony which honors the life of our beloved one during times when they were at their brightest. We also recognize the brightness that shone within our loved ones even when they were suffering. During the ceremony, we will read the name of your loved one while inviting you to light a candle we will provide in their memory and share stories.

We are creating a Bright Stars remembrance book and would like to include a story of your loved one along with a photograph of your choice. We hope you will participate in our Bright Stars remembrance book. We will be in touch to support you in writing your loved one’s story.

 

With hope,

Carl E. Josehart, MSW, CEO, Alexander Jewish Family Service

Ada Cheung, PhD, LCSW-S, RPT, CCO, Alexander Jewish Family Service

Gittel Francis, LCSW, Alexander Jewish Family Service

Behavioral and Mental Health Services Team, Alexander Jewish Family Service

Click Here to Register

Event FAQs

Featured Guests

Remembrance Ceremony Leaders

Photo: Cantor Rollin Simmons
Cantor Rollin Simmons
Congregation Emanu El
At Emanu El, she serves as music director, worship leader, teacher, pastor, life cycle officiant, youth choir director, concert producer, and conversion mentor. She is grateful to collaborate with an inspiring clergy team and staff to enrich the Jewish community and beyond.
Pictured: Sofia Heyl MT-BC, NMT™
Sofia Heyl, MT-BC, NMT™
Music Therapist
Sofia Heyl is a board certified music therapist who received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Sofia studied classical voice and also plays guitar, piano, and ukulele.

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By coming together and celebrating life, participants can find peace and community around a tragic death. 
A calm night sky with hundreds of stars

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