By Maria Esteves – September 11, 2014
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.

 
Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Temple Emanu-El Sanctuary, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers quotes included in her memorial service program.

Joan Rivers’s funeral direction included in her memorial service program.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Rabbi Chaim Gruber, left, and Academy Award-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Journalist Diane Sawyer, right, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long, right, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Journalist Barbara Walters, right, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, right, and Liza Oz, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, right, and Liza Oz, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: CEO Desiree Gruber, Full Picture, and husband actor Kyle Merritt MacLachlan, Temple Emanu-El, Sunday, NYC, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford, right end, and Hoda Kotb, Today show, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Guest arrivals at Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Academy Award winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Joan Rivers Memorial Service: Producer/actor Andy Cohen, Temple Emanu-El, NYC, Sunday, September 7, 2014.