May 15,<\/strong><\/span> 1990<\/p>\n Dear Children,<\/p>\n In 15 days I\u2019ll be 71.<\/p>\n As you know, I\u2019m not religious, but I do like a good party.<\/p>\n About my funeral: Use the gentile funeral home, Fioritto in Lyndhurst, to deliver my body to the Workmen\u2019s Circle Cemetery.\u00a0 Just bury me.\u00a0 Invite some family and friends.\u00a0 No rabbi!\u00a0 I\u2019ve never gone to synagogue, so don\u2019t start with that now.<\/p>\n Pick a<\/strong><\/span> convenient Sunday afternoon to throw a memorial service at the Workmen\u2019s Circle hall on Green Road.\u00a0 There is plenty room, a loudspeaker, and a kitchen. Anybody who wants to speak, can speak. Except Bernstein.<\/p>\n I want a nice sendoff: trays, Scotch, music, dancing, food, coffee, pastry, wine and cold beer.\u00a0 Whiskey too.\u00a0 Hire a klezmer band — Bert Stratton\u2019s band.\u00a0 (Bert is Julia and Toby\u2019s son.)\u00a0 But remember, one hour of klezmer is enough.<\/p>\n Get the trays at Bernie Shulman\u2019s at Cedar Center.\u00a0 They\u2019re good and cheap, but you have to pick up the goods yourself.\u00a0 Get pastries from Acme supermarket at Mayfield near Green.\u00a0 Their pastries are excellent and much cheaper than the Jewish bakeries.<\/p>\n I want<\/strong><\/span> coffee, lots of coffee; the Workmen\u2019s Circle can make it by the gallon.\u00a0 And plenty of soft drinks and wine — good wine. No Champagne.\u00a0 And hire kitchen help.<\/p>\n Mom will say I\u2019m nuts. \u00a0She can stay home if she wants!\u00a0 This is what I want.<\/p>\n Love,<\/p>\n Dad<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.yiddishecup.com\/blog\/home\/yiddis6\/public_html\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/funeral-list-sid-elsner1.jpg\" "\\"funeral")
<\/a><\/p>\n