By: TJVNews.com

Since 1946, Laraine Merner Gold-Juceam has been a fixture in Brooklyn’s Jewish life — a lifelong resident of Boro Park whose quiet acts of service left a deep and enduring mark on those around her. Born and raised in the close-knit neighborhood, she was the embodiment of community spirit: a retired New York City Board of Education employee, a dedicated volunteer, and an unwavering supporter of the institutions that sustain Jewish life in Brooklyn.

For more than six decades, she dedicated herself to helping others, particularly sick children within the community. Friends recall seeing her week after week at the Marine Park Jewish Center, where she participated in programs, coordinated charitable efforts, and offered words of encouragement to anyone who needed them. Known for her modest lifestyle, she poured her time, energy, and resources into others without seeking recognition.

Yet, in a matter of moments, the life of this trusted neighbor and tireless volunteer was upended.

On June 18th, while crossing a street at Avenue U and Ford Street at approximately 3:33 pm, Gold-Juceam was struck by a van. According to accounts provided by her family, the driver fled the scene, leaving her gravely injured. The possibility that she was targeted because of her visibly Jewish appearance has deeply unsettled members of the community.

The collision inflicted catastrophic injuries. Gold-Juceam underwent multiple surgeries to repair severe damage — a long list of broken bones and internal trauma that may prevent her from ever walking again. The path to recovery will be prolonged, painful, and uncertain.

Even with Medicare coverage, the cost of her care is projected to reach between $20,000 and $40,000, a sum far beyond her financial means. Years of modest living and quiet giving have left her with no savings to fall back on.

The woman now facing this grueling recovery is not simply “someone in need.” She is a lifelong daughter of Boro Park, a person whose entire adult life has been intertwined with acts of chesed — kindness — for her neighbors and community. She is also a mother who endured personal tragedy in 2002, when she buried her firstborn child after a lifetime battle with cerebral palsy.

Gold-Juceam has only one sibling, who is himself in poor health. The burden of ensuring her care has fallen squarely on her son, Keith David, who has been advocating daily to ensure she receives the medical attention she requires. That fight recently became more urgent when doctors discovered a cyst on her brain, a condition requiring close monitoring through advanced imaging to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.

Members of the Brooklyn Jewish community have begun mobilizing to assist Gold-Juceam, with appeals for donations circulating both locally and nationwide. Her son has emphasized that direct financial contributions are the most effective way to guarantee her treatment continues without interruption.

In addition to monetary donations, a special raffle has been organized to raise funds for her care. The raffle features more than 125 prizes, including rare and valuable Rock ’n’ Roll memorabilia, original artwork, and other unique items. Organizers stress that the event is a testament to the reach of Gold-Juceam’s impact — with contributors and supporters stretching from New York to California.

The drawing will be broadcast live on Facebook in the Phish INk Room, operated by California-based community member H. Schwab, and simultaneously on YouTube, on September 2, 2025, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

How to Contribute

Raffle tickets are priced at:

$20 for 1 ticket

$50 for 3 tickets

$100 for 8 tickets

$500 for 50 tickets

Donations and raffle entries can be submitted through:

Venmo: @Laraine-Juceam

PayPal: [email protected]

Organizers request that contributors include a note specifying “for Lanie” along with a contact phone number. Keith David will provide donors with a complete list of raffle prizes as well as their assigned numbers for the drawing.

Those close to Gold-Juceam say the campaign to support her is about far more than financial relief — it is a response to a moral obligation. In Jewish tradition, the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim (redeeming and rescuing those in distress) holds special significance. Supporters of the fundraiser are framing the effort as a modern expression of that principle, underscoring that the woman now in need is someone who, for decades, embodied selflessness and care for others.

The appeal circulating through synagogues, community centers, and social media platforms stresses that her injuries and mounting medical bills have left her entirely dependent on the same community she so faithfully served.

That sense of responsibility has already reached beyond Brooklyn. Supporters in other states have stepped forward with both donations and raffle prizes. The live-streamed raffle event is expected to draw participants from across the United States, highlighting the way in which Gold-Juceam’s reputation and relationships extend well beyond New York.

Organizers say that the broadcast will serve not only as a fundraising mechanism but also as a public demonstration of solidarity — a visible statement that Gold-Juceam’s contributions to her community will be honored through tangible support in her time of need.

Throughout her life, Gold-Juceam has endured challenges that would have overwhelmed many. The loss of her firstborn child, the responsibilities of caring for a family with limited resources, and now, the severe physical trauma of the recent collision have each tested her resilience. Yet, those who know her describe a woman whose first instinct has always been to help others before tending to her own needs.

Her friends recall her tireless presence at community events, her visits to sick neighbors, and her support for families navigating medical crises. Even after retiring from the New York City Board of Education, she continued to invest her time in volunteer work, mentoring younger community members and offering guidance drawn from decades of experience.

Medical experts consulted by the family have warned that her recovery may be complicated and prolonged. The combination of orthopedic injuries and the newly identified brain cyst requires careful coordination among specialists, repeated imaging, and potentially additional surgical interventions.

In the meantime, Gold-Juceam’s mobility remains severely limited. She faces the prospect of lengthy rehabilitation in a facility far from home unless sufficient funds can be raised to arrange for care closer to her community.

For those leading the fundraising efforts, the goal is not only to restore her health but to safeguard her dignity. They point out that this is a woman who lived modestly, gave generously, and never sought recognition for her contributions. Now, as she confronts the most serious challenge of her life, the community is being asked to ensure that her needs — both medical and personal — are met without delay.

As her son wrote in a public appeal: “May we merit to see her restored to health, and may our acts of kindness be a source of blessing for us all.”