Sholom Alexander Banks

Sholom Alexander (“Alex”) Banks died on September 4, 2023. He was 92 years old and a longtime resident of New Jersey, living for 29 years in Cranford, where he raised a family, 25 years in Monroe, and most recently in Marlboro.

Alex grew up in the Boston area where he attended Boston Latin High School. Alex was in the first class of the new Brandeis University, graduating in 1952 with a degree in chemistry. After earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953, Alex worked as a chemical engineer for Exxon for over 40 years, for most of that time in Linden, NJ. He was a process troubleshooter, diagnosing and rectifying production flaws in rubber and vinyl manufacturing facilities around the world and was granted a US patent for a unique process for curing external coatings.

Alex volunteered extensively on behalf of the Jewish community in New Jersey. He served on the governing board of Temple Beth-El synagogue in Cranford, eventually serving as President of the congregation from 1968 – 1972. At the same time, he engaged with the wider Jewish community of Northern New Jersey as an active member of the Jewish Federation and United Synagogue, focusing his efforts on fundraising. He also served on the governing board of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union County (now the Golda Och Academy), eventually serving as president for several years. After retiring from Exxon, Sholom volunteered for the AARP, serving as regional manager in their program aimed at helping seniors prepare their taxes, and served as editor of the Greenbriar community newspaper.

Alex is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Ruth Banks, whom he met at Brandeis, his four children (and life partners) Michael (Robin) Banks of Seattle, Beth (Jules) Cohn of Manalapan, Jonathan (Judy) Banks of Marlboro, and Matthew Banks (Simone Schweber) of Madison Wisconsin.

He also leaves behind his five loving grandchildren: Jeremy, Jess, David, Danny, and Maya.

Funeral Services will be held at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Marlboro, NJ. **If you will be attending the funeral service, please introduce yourself to Mrs. Banks and tell her where she knows you from**

The service will also be available on zoom https://zoom.us/j/99634472816?pwd=aXJMaTFQVjRERXVQUXlKQ1FCSlhvdz09

Meeting ID: 996 3447 2816

Passcode: banks

The family will be sitting shiva at Jonathan's home on Thursday after the burial, Friday until 5 pm, and Saturday starting at 7 pm.

Shiva will then resume at Beth's home on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Memorial Donations in Mr. Banks' memory may be made to The Jewish National Fund, The Golda Och Academy, or to Brandeis University.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bloomfieldcoopermanalapan.com for the Banks family.