HOLLIS HILLS, QUEENS — Cara Trager, 71, died on May 29 from injuries after she and her husband were struck by a car in Hollis Hills, Queens. The collision occurred as the couple returned home from an Israeli restaurant.
Dawood Faisal, 22, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal collision, reckless driving, and speeding. Faisal pleaded not guilty at a May 27 arraignment in Queens Criminal Court and was remanded without bail.
She was born on May 4, 1955, in the Bronx to Alex and Sylvia Selinger. She attended James Monroe High School and Queens College, where she wrote for the school newspaper.
She began her journalism career writing for trade publications after graduating from college. In the early 1980s, she transitioned to working as a freelance writer. Her work appeared in publications including the New York Post, Crain's New York Business, and Newsday, and she wrote for Newsday until her death. She also produced publications and marketing materials for the UJA-Federation of New York, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the Jewish Theological Seminary.
She served on the board of the Solomon Schechter School of Queens and held leadership roles at the Etz Hayim at Hollis Hills Bayside synagogue. She identified as Conservative Jewish and prioritized Jewish identity and Israel over religious observance, traveling to Israel 11 times. She also served as a board member for a children's home in Israel.
She is survived by her husband, Michael, their children Eric Trager and Rachel Sales, daughter-in-law Alyssa Saunders, son-in-law Benjamin Sales, and grandchildren Max, Teddy, Dov, and Yael. Her funeral was held on May 31. Rabbi David Wise held a gathering for mourners where a T-shirt reading 'Proud American, Proud Zionist' was displayed.
Michael Trager said, "There was nobody more pro-Israel, and a bigger Zionist, than her." Regarding the collision, Trager said, "As devastated as the family is, and me in particular, I’d like to at least hope that justice is served, that this puts an end, or at least helps put an end, to senseless violence."
Eric Trager said, "My mother, Cara Trager, loved, and was loved deeply. This is how I will remember her, and this is how I hope she will always be remembered." He added, "I will spend the rest of my life missing her, and wishing she was here."