Jane H. Brooks

Brooks, Jane H.
Age 88

Braintree MA, formerly of Omaha. Died on May 11, 2014 following a stroke. She graduated from Wittenberg University with a BA degree in English and Philosophy. She and her husband, Rabbi Sidney H. Brooks, were married for 55 years before he died in 1999. She is survived by her daughter, Miriam Brooks of Braintree, MA; son Joel Brooks (Naomi) of Tampa FL. and grandson, Joseph Brooks (Mayrelis) of Tampa, FL. While her husband served as Rabbi at Temple Israel they lived in Omaha NE for 53 years. Jane moved to Braintree, MA to be near her daughter in 2005. Jane was a social activist and community organizer before anyone had developed that label. She came from a family of women activists (her mother and sister were both equally involved in social justice causes), and served on the boards of many community and Jewish organizations. She once said that "volunteering was a way of expressing my liberalism." Jane was known for her quiet and strong organizational skills and her dedication to making life better for all citizens, working for civil rights, and for equal opportunity in housing, education and employment. Among the many organizations with which Jane had a long history of involvement and leadership were the Eastern Nebraska Mental Health Association, which she founded and remained involved with for over a decade; United Community Services in Omaha for over 12 years; the Volunteer Bureau and the Bureau on Aging. The work she was most passionate about was reflected in her long involvement with Planned Parenthood of Omaha where she served on the Board of Directors for over a decade; the Nebraska Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights; the National Council of Jewish Women, where she was a Board member for more than thirty years, and from whom she received their highest honor, the Hannah G. Solomon Award, in 1995; the League of Women Voters; the Omaha Fair Employment Commission; and the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, with whom she worked for more than twenty-five years. In 1971, Jane was honored with the Citizenship Award from B'nai B'rith Women. Jane found her home in Nebraska in her synagogue and her community. With lifelong friends in both spheres, she left a lasting impact on the people with whom she worked and the community and Temple which she loved. She was known as a woman of great passion and great compassion. Omaha was, in her mind, the country's "best kept secret." She will leave a hole in the hearts of her family and her friends.
A SERVICE will be held at 11am on Thursday, May 22 at Temple Israel, 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr., Omaha. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Planned Parenthood or Temple Israel. CARTWRIGHT FUNERAL HOME
419 N Main St., Randolph, MA 02368
(781) 437-4008