A private memorial service for the legendary American icon JOAN RIVERS (Joan Alexandra Molinsky) was held at Temple Emanu-El, Fifth Avenue, New York, Sunday, September 7, 2014, 11:00 AM. Actress, comedienne, writer, producer, and television host Rivers passed away during New York Fashion Week, Thursday, September 4th. Opening prayers were recited by Senior Rabbi Joshua Davidson in the beautiful sanctuary decorated with white gardenias where Rivers was a member and Howard Stern delivered the eulogy. Melissa Rivers (Joan’s daughter), Deborah Norville, Margie Stern and Cindy Adams paid tribute. Musical performances included Charlie Chaplin’s Smile by Audra McDonald and Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage from Broadway musical The Boy from Oz by Hugh Jackman.
Fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Dennis Basso, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta; Academy Award-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg; Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters; producer Desiree Gruber; co-stars Kelly Osbourne and Giuliana Rancic, E!Fashion Police; co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, Today show; actor Alan Cumming; actress Judith Sheindlin, TV Judge Judy; comedian Rosie O'Donnell; TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz; real estate mogul Donald Trump; journalists Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Chuck Scarborough, Geraldo Rivera and Michael Musto were among the countless celebrities with family and friends who attended Rivers memorial. Outside across from the temple on Fifth Avenue between 65th and 66th Street, hundreds of people gathered behind police barricades.
