Plan for the Future
Naomi Arad Broome, a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister, passed away peacefully at her home in Springfield, New Jersey, on January 4, 2025. She was 44 years old. Born in Haifa, Israel on October 28, 1980, Naomi moved to the United States in 1987, and grew up in Fair Lawn, NJ, where she graduated from Fair Lawn High School in 1999.
From an early age, Naomi’s life was intertwined with dance. She found a particular love for ballet, performing with the Unicorne Dance Ensemble at the Glen Rock Community School well into adulthood. For her, dance was more than just an art form; it was a means of self-expression, emotional exploration, and healing.
Naomi’s passion became especially vital during her battle with a rare malignant schwannoma, which she faced courageously as a child between the ages of 10 and 13. Treated by the esteemed Dr. Michael B. Harris at Hackensack Medical Center, Naomi endured intensive chemotherapy and radiation with unyielding resilience, embracing the mantra “Carpe diem” (“Seize the day”). It was during this time that she discovered Dance / Movement Therapy, which became a cornerstone of her recovery and her life’s purpose.
Naomi pursued this calling with dedication, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Dance from Hofstra University and a Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling Psychology from Antioch University New England.
As a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, and Associate Counselor, Naomi spent two decades making a profound impact in the field of creative arts therapy. She specialized in working with neurodiverse children, trauma survivors, and individuals coping with bereavement. Much of her career was dedicated to psychiatric patients within the RWJ Barnabas Health system, particularly at Clara Maass Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center. She also mentored several interns and aspiring therapists, sharing her passion for the transformative power of movement and creativity.
Naomi’s commitment extended beyond her clinical work. She was a tireless advocate for the Dance/Movement Therapy profession, serving on the New Jersey Taskforce for Licensure and working to secure state legislation for licensure. She held leadership roles with the New Jersey Chapter of the American Dance Therapy Association, including serving as president for two years. Her contributions were recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award in 2017 and the Exceptional Service Award in 2019 from the national association.
In her personal life, Naomi was a vibrant and multifaceted individual. She found joy in taking dance classes at The Connection in Summit, NJ, and treasured time spent with friends. She loved crocheting, cooking, gardening, yoga, meditation, and being a member of the Temple Sinai community in Summit, NJ.
Ultimately, Naomi faced another rare cancer diagnosis in the latter half of 2023, this time a blue nevus melanoma. She endured a difficult journey of treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with the same courage and grace that defined her life. Though her time was cut short, Naomi found solace in knowing that her body would be donated to cancer research, continuing her lifelong mission to help others, and contributing to the fight to end this devastating disease.
Naomi’s life was a testament to resilience, compassion, and the beauty of the human spirit. Each night, she concluded her day with the meditative prayer: Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (“May all beings be happy and free”), a reflection of the kindness and peace she carried within her.
Naomi’s greatest love was for her family. She is survived by her husband, Jesse Broome; her daughter, Bayla; her parents, Moshe and Leta Arad; her sister, Aviva Arad, and her husband, Zohar Rotem; as well as her nephew, Danny Rotem, and niece, Maya Rotem.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
