Yaya's 90th Birthday Book

90TH

hugs + kisses



Dear Eleanor,

Like many in our extended family, the roots of our love and sense of
closeness to you and to all Glaubers and Feitlers stretch back over a
century and across the ocean.  In this country and in our lifetimes,
they encompass countless happy family gatherings that Walter, his
parents, and his sister Stefanie enjoyed in the company of you and Joe
and your family, and are intertwined with Walter’s fond memories
from his New York days of the many evenings he spent at Emil and
Gusti’s home in Forest Hills, Queens, when Gusti would kindly call to
invite him out from Manhattan for another of “our Friday nights.”  But
the sweet memory that the two of us share and especially cherish is
of the effort you made to travel just three years ago to Milwaukee in
the spring of 2017 to celebrate our wedding with us.  Many images
from that special day have stayed with us, but one that glows
especially bright for both of us is of the sheer joy on your face as you
gave us your good wishes, and your delight in reuniting at the event
with far-flung loved ones. It spoke volumes about your generosity,
your kindness, your love of family, and, we think, your beliefs about
what matters most.  We relive the occasion often in our minds, and
will always be grateful that you were there to support us and
celebrate our good fortune with us.  We wish you a splendid birthday,
and send you our very best wishes for good
health and happiness! 

Love,
Alice & Walter

After Yaya and Poppa moved to Syracuse Yaya always made an
effort to follow the Syracuse sports teams because she knew it
was something important to Ben and I. I was always surprised
when she would reference a recent score or upcoming opponent
and it really shouldn’t have been a surprise given how caring and
thoughtful she is to everyone around her.  To this day we still talk
about the latest news which makes me so happy. - Andrew

Yaya used to come stay with me when my parents would go out
of town and their trips always happened during football season,
leading to a few exciting times. The first was when I had a minor
medical issue and I remember walking into the kitchen after
practice ended, seeing her, and telling her not to panic but that
we needed to go to the doctor.  She very calmly responded, made
some calls and took me in. There’s no question she responded
more calmly than my mom would have! On one of those visits she
also witnessed my one and only high school touchdown, a fact I
have never let my parents live down. - Andrew

Yaya was always so happy that Becca and I lived in New York City
and encouraged us to go to the Opera and visit places she used
to go to when she lived in Queens. On many occasions she got us
tickets to the opera and shared her opera glasses and book from
her childhood with summaries of the opera since we wouldn’t
understand the story as it played live. It makes us so happy to go
to a show and be able to use the same glasses she did, and we
love being able to share this special love of hers. - Andrew and
Becca

Yaya’s relationship with my grandma means a lot to me. Ever
since they met, Yaya makes sure to stay in touch with her via
lots of emails - which is really important since my grandma can’t
hear and talk to anyone on the phone. My grandma loves being
able to get all of Yaya's updates and tell her all about what’s
going on in NYC. - Becca

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAYA!

Love,
Andrew and Becca Silverman

My first encounter with Eleanor and Joe were when they were in the UK
and I was playing in Windsor Great Chapel after a music course
Beethoven 9th to name but one. She was so enthusiastic, and she really
enjoyed the setting. I am aware that it was a long concert and she must
have been somewhat jet lagged. This was followed up by a stay at home
in Chicago when I was on my elective in Toronto. I had a warm welcome
and was made to feel part of the family during my short stay. Barbara had
just had a baby. I remember a great day at the Lake in freezing cold and
wind as I visited in Winter (1983). Eleanor as always was generous of her
time to me and wore a huge fur coat and I had my "Duffle coat with me
and was well wrapped up from the wind of the that windy city. I
affectionally nicknamed her as the "Bear" but have not told her until this
momentous occasion. I have dug out some old photos enclosed.  She also
visited us in Norfolk after my wife had just had neck surgery and was
recovering and regaled us with family stories and updated us with all the
news of our relatives across the pond. She is brilliant at staying in touch
by letters, emails and telephone calls. 

Nothing is ever too much trouble for Eleanor and more recently it has
been great to be in contact with Jane on our travels with various
orchestras in Washington and Philadelphia and NYC.

I wish Eleanor many congratulations on her special day and will not brag
that my mum beat her to it by a few weeks! I am sure that Eleanor has
touched many lives in her "four score and ten" and is proud of her family
and their achievements. 

We all wish her well in these trouble times and good health and long life. 

Angela and Peter Newman.

The pictures are from 1983 when Peter visited Chicago.

Dear Mom,

I have so many beautiful memories of times when you went out of your way to
create memorable and special experiences for me growing up. Here are just a few.
Thank you for all the time and energy you put into making life special for me.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Barbara

Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies

I remember living in Moorestown in a home with a long kitchen – lots of counter
space and a little area that Mom designated the “baking area,” where she put the
mixer and the baking ingredients in the cabinet above the mixer. I believe it was
between the refrigerator and a cabinet. I was interested in learning how to cook and
bake, so Mom showed me how to make cookies from scratch. Back then, mixes were
not available for cookies like they are today. Mom made everything she baked from
scratch. Period. There was no option!

I recall learning how to make Chocolate Chip Cookies with a recipe from the back of
the Toll House Chocolate Chips that Mom thought would be a good way to start. I
remember it taking me a LONG time to gather the ingredients and follow the
directions. I had to start the mixer with 2 sticks of butter and wait for it to get soft
and creamy, so I could add the sugar. Learning had a steep curve for me. Mom
showed me how to measure the white sugar with a measuring cup, actually 2, since I
think the amount of sugar called for was 3⁄4 of a cup which meant I had to figure
out with a little help that I needed both a 1⁄2 cup and a 1⁄4 cup of white sugar. First
task accomplished. Then I needed 3⁄4 of a cup of “packed” brown sugar. I could not
use the same

technique for brown sugar as I did for the white sugar because I used a knife to
level the amount of white sugar in the measuring cup. How did I “pack” brown
sugar into the measuring cups? Mom showed me, but my smaller fingers were not
as strong as hers and I think I got “close” to a packed 1⁄2 cup ad 1⁄4 cup. Then while
the butter was mixing with the sugar, I had to get the dry ingredients mix together
in a small bowl. That took some figuring out too, but I managed to get the right
amounts into the small bowl.

I still had to add the eggs, and vanilla before the dry ingredients were added. We
did not have the Food Network channel in the 60’s, so Mom had to how me step-
by-step how to finish making the batter. Well, I almost forgot the Chocolate Chips
since I was reading the recipe on the back of the package. Mom reminded me to
slowly add the bag (2 cups of chocolate chips were in the 12-ounce package).
Finally, the batter was made, and I finally could make the cookies. The dough tasted
good, but I had to learn how to put the cookies, using a teaspoon to create the
“drop cookies” (in an organized fashion) on the cookie sheet. I think I managed to
get one cookie sheet done before I needed a break. I learned about “pre-heating”
the oven and when the first cookie sheet came out, they smelled SO good. I could
not wait to taste them. Next to the kitchen as the laundry room and Mom used the
top of the washer and dryer to put the cookie rack to “cool the cookies.” I learned
how to carefully take the cookie sheet out of the oven with two oven mitts and take
them to the “cooling station” in the laundry room – close to where the oven was
located. I think I finished baking 2 cookies sheets before I was “done,” or thought I
was done.

Well, I had made a bit of a mess and the baking area was filled with remnants of the
cookie ingredients. Mom had a saying, “he who cookie, cleanie uppie.” So as a 9 year
old, I learned how to bake a batch of cookies that I liked AND cleaned up what I
made dirty – lots of measuring cups, measuring spoons, cookie sheets, spatulas,
teaspoons, bowls, cookie sheets, etc. I never thought I would finish cleaning up the
baking stuff I used that afternoon, but eventually I did finish and we all enjoyed the
cookies for dessert.

Checking the taste of the batter was always a treat cleaning off the mixer beaters. At
that point, I remember having 2 beaters that had lots of dough clinging to them, so
Jane and Carol asked for their share of “tastes.” I think they liked those cookies too.

“Learning to make Bread”

Growing up in Moorestown, New Jersey, I was a member of a Senior Girl Scout Troop
that liked to travel. One of our goals was to visit Niagara Falls, New York and cross
the border to Canada to see the Falls from both sides, along with other related sites.

The troop brainstormed several options to “fund raise” money to pay for a charter
bus to go to Niagara Falls. One of the leaders knew of a bread mix that was
reasonably inexpensive and if the loaves were made, they smelled delicious and our
troop could make a reasonable profit on each loaf. Since our home had a large
kitchen and Mom was a Home Economist, she invited whoever wanted to come to
work for an afternoon to make bread. I think we baked 2 or 3 times with 8-10 girls
working at different stations. The bread table was one of the various options we used
to raise money for our highly anticipated trip. We also did various crafts and sold
other things so between all of the fund-raising choices, we hoped to raise enough
money for our trip. If this major troop fund-raising effort did not raise enough
money, we would not be able to go on our trip.

Mom explained a bit about bread, the yeast-rising process, and the importance of
measuring and adding just the correct amount of required ingredients to insure good
quality and taste from each loaf we made. Mom set up a “production line,” so each
girl had a chance to do each part of the process, measuring ingredients, preparing
the loaf pans ( we had a lot, if I recall) so the loaves would be a consistent size, baked
a specific number of minutes, cooling the loaves and packaging and pricing them to
prepare them for the sale. I think we made a “whole wheat” bread, but I am not sure if
it was a healthy white or wheat, it was homemade. Since baking took the longest time

in the preparation process, we prepared as many loaves as possible to cook while
everyone was there and I think it was my job to make sure the unbaked loaves were
finished as quickly as possible. We froze the bread until the day of our “Troop Fair.” I
think we baked 100 loaves of bread, hoped to sell them all to meet our goal. The
bread station did help to meet our financial goal of raising $100 (a lot of money in the
1960’s!)

My Trip to Rome

I was a senior in high school when my Latin teacher, Mr. Rhody announced that he
had information about a trip to Rome during Spring vacation – Easter break, March
20 to March 29, 1970, to see all of the buildings and artwork we were learning about
in Latin 2. I do not recall whether he had an information sheet to take home to
explain to our parents, but I was not sure I would be able to go, so I did not mention
it when I got home. The trip was open to students who were studying Latin in their
second, third and fourth years.

Jane, who was a freshman taking Latin 1 from Mr. Rhody came home and excitedly
told Mom about this “potential trip to Rome.” I remember being in the hallway
upstairs between the bedrooms and Jane was so excited about the trip telling Mom
all about it. Mom asked me if I wanted to go. I hesitantly said, “yes,” but can we afford
it? (Mom was always talking about “not having any money.” I was working at the
Temple one day a week, not making too much money, even though I was saving most
of it.) However, somehow Mom talked to Dad and they both agreed that it would be a
wonderful introduction to Europe. I do recall some rabbis being upset at Sunday
School that I visited Italy before I went to Israel, which the rabbis made me feel
unhappy that I took advantage of an opportunity at school. At that point, there were
not “trips to Israel” through the Temple or Federation.

I went back to school the next day to learn more about the trip’s specifics – cost and
find out who else was going. There were a lot of seniors who opted to participate. Mr.
Rhody had learned that The Philadelphia Classical Society was sponsoring trips to
Rome and sent home a detailed flyer which included a wonderful tour of Rome
touring Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, Circus
Maximus, etc. A second day of touring included visits to the Vatican Museum, St
Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Via Veneto. A third
day in Rome included a Papal Audience, the Appian Way, Quo Vadis Chapel,
Catacombs of St. Sabastian. Somehow we were not able to see the Colosseum
because the workers were “on strike.” We ended up going back to the Colosseum
after dinner and “jumped a fence” to get a special tour from Mr. Rhody and Mr.
Giacobbe, our teachers accompanying the group. We were found and escorted out,
but it was after we were able to “walk around a bit!”

The next day, our group traveled from Rome to Florence on a bus with stops in
Perugia and Assisi. Along the way, one of the tires on our bus had a “Blowout” which
also “tore” the metal on the bus as the tire exploded. I still have a picture of that in
my Rome trip scrapbook. I remember seeing many museums in Florence including
the Uffizi gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio. We returned to Rome late that day. We also
got to Sorrento and saw the excavated city of Pompeii. This trip was packed full of
touring and fun times with our group. It was indeed a great introduction to visiting
Europe.

Dad’s Surprise 40th Birthday Party (April 17, 1965)

Mom loved to cook and bake while I was growing up. She was known for making
delicious meal and we always had a “formal dinner” at 6pm in the dining room, The
table was set with a tablecloth, cloth napkin, and correct table settings for 5. Dinner
always included meat, vegetables, salad and dessert. Dad always loved dessert
whether it was cake, cookies, ice cream, or whatever Mom decided to experiment
with that day. Mom was an excellent baker, tips she gained from her Mom, Nana, and
Oma, my great-grandmother who spent several months of the year in New York City.
The other part of the year Oma spent in Oakland, California with her other daughter,
Kathe, Nana’s sister.

Mom had an idea and with her careful budgeting was able to cook and bake for a
special occasion. Dad was turning 40 and she planned surprise party for Dad.
Fortunately, most of the cook ahead food was stored next store, in the Sullivan’s
chest freezer. After school, Mom would have one of her 3 girls take the day’s
specialty over to Mrs. Sullivan and asked if we could add something else to the
collection of goodies Mom was preparing for the party. Kay (Mrs. Sullivan) had
designated a portion of her freezer for Mom’s stuff. That way, Dad would not see an
excessive amount of food in either our refrigerator or our “deep freeze.” Kay had 5
kids, Kathy, who is my age and four younger and very inquisitive boys.

Mom had put some cookies in Kay’s freezer. The boys, were always asked to run
outside to the garage to get some food for their Mom for dinner. The boys had Kay
cooking all the time – she made incredible lasagna, amazing vegetable soup and well
as anything else she could create to keep the boys fed. They were always hungry. As
Mom baked and put goodies in Kay’s freezer, the boys found the goodies and were
always happy to “run to the freezer” to get their Mom’s request as well as getting a
sweet treat from Mrs. Feitler’s stash. Well, when Mom caught on to her boy’s nibbling
from the freezer, they were “recruited” to help serve and clear dishes, etc. during
Dad’s party. I think Kay felt bad and also helped Mom with some of the cooking,
offering some delectable Italian specialties! After this, Kay asked Mom only to send
over meat, veggies or whatever was not sweet, little and able to be “sampled.”

I do not recall how far in advance Mom and Kay had planned this event, but I do
know there were several conversations and much help was provided by Kay. Kay was
also a superb cook and worked part-time hosting fund-raising lunches in the greater
Philadelphia area. Mom helped Kay get this job, which she loved and got her “out of
the house” and made her own money.

Everything was going well for all of the preparations. Invitations were sent out,
everything was still “hush-hush.” Mom made one oops – she cleaned out the Hall
closet of all coats. Dad suspected something was up, but she would not give him a
hint of the surprise she had “cooked” up.

To give Mom time to set up the surprise, Mom suggested to Dad that he take his 3
girls to the movies, a BIG treat. We were going to see “Mary Poppins,” which had
just been released. Dad was meeting one of his friends with his kids at the movies at
the Moorestown Mall. We all were out of the house, while Mom and Kay set up the
tables, got the food prepared on platters and set up a buffet for all to enjoy. Guests
arrived prior to our return after the movie.

When we arrived home, after the movie, there were many cars parked on the
adjacent streets. Lots of friends and family (including family from NYC) had driven
to Moorestown to celebrate Dad. He was surprised, pleased and had fun talking to
everyone. Family friends were happy to enjoy Mom’s cooking and baking. The party
was one of the very special “surprises” Mom was able to successfully carry out that I
recall growing up.

Yaya,
The memories are long and amazing.

Some of our favorites are around food.
From going to eat “fancy” food with you
and Poppa at Navy Pier when Andrew
and I visited, to making Challah with you,
Sarah and I or just our Friday night
Shabbat dinners, you always have and
will be the most special person.

We are so happy and excited that you get
to spend time with Elon.
Happy 90th birthday!!!

XOXO

Love,
Ben, Sarah and Elon



Dear Eleanor,

Wishing you a VERY happy 90th
birthday.  

I'm so glad you moved to Syracuse and
that you have spent many years in close
friendship with my parents.  I get the
sense that my mother, Tess, feels a deep
familial connection to you.  I hope that
you enjoy reading this Birthday book, and
that you have made yourself a special
treat to eat in celebration today. 

With warm wishes,
Carolyn Kosoff Ingleson

My memory seems minor, but it has stuck
with me.

I was 6 years old and my parents had
furnished my bedroom with a bunk bed
and a desk. At some point after that, I was
at my Grandmother's in Queens. Eleanor
was there too. She said she had a present
for me. She gave me a Bostich Office Stapler
and a pack of staples to go with my new big
kid room (I mean I did now have an adult
desk).I didn't really need them, but still
thought it was cool to have my own stapler.
I still have the stapler and most of the
staples (it was a lot of staples). I always felt
that just like Gusti, Eleanor treated every
kid like they were her own grandchild.

-Charlie Needleman

For once in my life,  I am tongue-tied.  

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

Follow in Gusti and Emil’s footsteps ...
we all want to get together in person to
celebrate 100! 

Best,
Edith Kubicek



Dear Eleanor,
Truly, I wish we all could be together in person to celebrate your very special
birthday, but such a gathering is another victim of Covid-19. We all wish it were not
so, but better safe so that we all can be together at some future date.

In our extended Tachau clan family, the degree of relationship is not as relevant as
the ties our families created and carried from Tachau through their immigration to
the US. You may be my second cousin, but in this clan that is hardly distant. Happily,
our generation is continuing the closeness that our parents enjoyed and you are an
important cherished cousin, relative and friend.

What is amazing is that time reduces age differences. When I was a kid, the 9- or 10-
years difference between us was huge – like existing on 2 different planets. But now
we are on the same planet. Your concern about Peter and my well-being (as well as
our kids) is always touching. “How are we in the face of a hurricane, Nor’easter, or
blizzard?” You always check in, demonstrating the strength of your love and making
us feel so cared for.

You are my Go-To for family history, connections and stories. You are my Go-To for
baking advice, recipes, and culinary science. How many times you have answered my
queries, even making multiples of a cake/cookie in your test kitchen. And you even
share your talent and know-how with Victoria, the next generation who relishes your
vanille kipfferl or anything you bake. She too knows, loves and cherish you.

So keep up the good work. We love you and need you.

Fifi Nessen, Peter, Victoria
And Anna and William too.

In September 2000, having agreed to loan two
paintings by Francis Picabia to the Arts Council of
Chicago, Eleanor invited me to come for a visit. We
had a marvelous time, were invited by the Arts
Council to a Gala dinner when Eleanor took the time
to get really dressed for the occasion . She looked
stunning and we had a fine time. She took me to
museums, to the houses of Frank Loyd Wright, and
as I am remembering this trip the memories are as
rich and vibrant and wonderful as twenty
years ago.

Dear Eleanor have we aged?

Love,
Francoise

Bravo and hoping you
have a wonderful birthday.

I guess my most lasting
memories are the times
when Eleanor and Joe

used to visit us in
Wappinger Falls while

they were living in
Poughkeepsie. Not to say
we don't remember all the
Tachau gatherings and the

many birthday
celebrations.

Well, Eleanor now it is
your turn and we wish you

many, many more.

Stay well and lots of love.

FRANK&
HANNAH
NEUBAUER

When I think of Eleanor, I am
transported back to 111-25 76th
Drive – the fabled home of her parents
(and my father’s cousins) Gusti
and Emil.  Of course she wasn’t always

there when I visited, but I
associate her with the wonderful
atmosphere in that house that came
from the love of family.  For me,
Eleanor has always represented the
continuity of family and the comfort

that comes with it. 
 

Melissa joins in sending our love to your
mother, and to you and your sisters as

well.
 

--Frank Bloch

Hi Eleanor,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - yes, indeed, it is a big one!
 
It is hard to believe how long we've been first-cousins-in-law and
how many meaningful events we have shared. Too bad we can not
be with you today but we certainly are with you in spirit and the
good news is that bugs are not transmitted virtually or
electronically.  We do hope that when all this over we will be able
to see each other.
 
We fondly remember how gracious you and Joe  were when ours
daughters Nancy and Marta were at Northwestern in Chicago,
each having some difficult times. Those days are well
remembered and I, Mollie, feel particularly grateful  as to how
special you were to me during my visits to Chicago. .
 
Stay well and lots a love from,
Mollie and George Spencer

I haven't thought of this in years, but the first
thing that came to my mind was a really lovely
dinner I had with Eleanor when I was living in
Pittsburgh. She treated me to a really tasty meal
and I remember the night being full of good
conversation. I've also always admired how good
she is at keeping in touch with people, sending
thoughtful emails every so often to say hi.

--Hannah Rothstein

My relationship with Eleanor is rather unique. What brought
us together are our mothers. I’m in between the age of her
children and her.

When I was a child, my mother used to go visit her mother
Gusti Glauber on Long Island. What I remember about these
visits was my mom coming home with incredibly delicious
baked treats, particularly the mini linzer tortes. These were
truly sumptuos. And, there were other such incredible
desserts. I always looked forward to these Austrian delicacies.

I believe my mother was the youngest of the 4 Glauber-
Seligmann girls. I can only surmise details. My mother, Rolly
had an older sister, Edith. And, of course Gusti and her sister
Katie. From what I recall these 2 families vacationed together
on Lake Bled when the 4 girls were children. That must have
been quite a trek from Vienna in those days!

I cannot recall when Eleanor and I met at Gusti and Emil’s house, but we
had lots of stories to share. For starters, both of us have older brothers and
fully well understood the family dynamic of the good old Viennese family
structure. I learned about her 3 daughters, their husbands, grandchildren
and now great grandchildren – unfortunately, none of whom I know. Leah
and I have shared similar careers. I taught art, though I gave it up after 20
years to return to school, earn another degree, and begin a career as a
college professor.

What is fascinating is the special bond between us – Eleanor is a mere 19
years older than I am, but I know of the horrors she experienced as a young
child. I also know first hand of the lives that our parents led and shared in
Vienna. Because of Eleanor’s knowledge, I was able to learn the name of the
ship my parents traveled on to arrive at Ellis Island.

I love calling her and hearing about what is new with her grandchildren and
sharing tidbits of my life as well. She always has good advice for me! It’s also
‘funny’ that she is now living in Syracuse, because I have my undergrad
degree from SU. I only regret that now living in Connecticut, Syracuse is so
far away and we haven’t seen one another in years.

As soon as we are able, we will head to Syracuse wherever we might be
living.

Happy, healthy birthday! I’m sending all my love and virtual hugs,
Helen Garinger

We moved to in NJ in 1959.  Jon met Joe at work at RCA.  We
have been in contact ever since then.  While we were in NJ we
were spending a quiet Sunday afternoon with the Feitlers when
we suddenly realized it was far too quiet.  My son Seth, who
was a mischief, was missing.  We finally found him in the
Feitlers garage where he had taken apart Joe's new lawn
sprinkler.  It took Jon & Joe hours trying to put it together
again.  If Joe were still alive, they'd still be trying.  We have
stayed in touch since 1959 and keep in constant contact.

--Iris and Jonathan Oseas

Eleanor,

We met Joe first.  He was sitting on his deck reading.  Jack and I were
doing the same thing on our deck.  We decided to walk over and
introduce ourselves to our new neighbor.  We had both moved into
our new homes in the wintertime and were busy with getting settled
before we had the inclination to meet our new neighbors.

As soon as Joe welcomed us and Eleanor heard our voices, she came
out on the deck and invited us in.  We sat in the living room to chat
and get acquainted while she found a bottle of cold Riesling and some
glasses and a cutting board with crackers and a new piece of Jarlsberg
cheese to snack on.  We discovered that we had interests in common
and that each family had had relatives who were refugees in Shanghai
during World War II.  We talked about family history and past
experiences and found a comfortable compatibility. 

Later Eleanor and Joe invited us for a Passover Seder and introduced
us to the Haggadah.  There were a number of occasions like that
between our two houses, where we met each other’s families.  It was a
happy relationship.

Now that Joe is gone – and Jack too – Eleanor and I continue our
happy friendship.  We may not see each other often, especially in the
winter, but we know we are there for each other.  Knowing that
Eleanor is next door is a comforting thought and a happy one too. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELEANOR!!! 

Janet Mallan

For Eleanor’s 90th birthday

There is a trail of delicious linzer tortes that span time and place in my
memory. They travelled from Vienna to America, carried by our
immigrant families.  My mother, Hansy, and grandmother Elli (Omi to
me) made linzer tortes for special occasions.  As children, when visiting
with family it seemed that a linzer torte was always at the dessert table.
We drove to Poughkeepsie to visit Eleanor, Joe, Barbara, Jane, and Carol. 
Linzer tortes? Of course.  

Thanks to Eleanor for being the connecting link to the family’s Vienna
thread when I moved to Minneapolis in 1973 to start my grown up life
after college. I met and immediately bonded with Ruth Harris, and today,
47 years later, daughter Judy and I are good friends. When Sam and Liz
were born, Eleanor sent those cute yellow Christopher Robin-esque
raincoats to grow into - and they did - when they were about three
years old. She came to Sam and then Liz’s B’Mitzvahs with linzer torte
bars in hand, she delivered them again to Sam and Jen’s wedding in 2007,
and to Liz and Chris’ wedding in 2018.

Thank you Eleanor for the love and energy with which you have kept us
all connected to our family stories, and for the taste of Vienna that I will
always associate with you and your magnificent linzer tortes.

Mazel tov and L’Chaim on #90 - what an historical year in every way!
With love from The Janet Mayer Family
Janet & Paul, Sam & Jenny, Liz & Chris
Mila, Caleb, and Noah

Ps. Yaya is still sending out yellow raincoats. One went to  Heddy’s
great grandson a few months ago and another to a Sarah Silverman’s
sister Renee whose baby is due In August. Some good things don’t
change!

Happy Memories from Jing and Josh Karchin
Jing and Josh's last minute court wedding.  Jing set things up
and told me two days ahead of time we would be getting
married on Feb, 13th, 2014.  I ask Yaya and Papa Joe to witness
for us the day before (the 12th).  So basically no warning.  Yaya
was so kind to gift us rings for the day. I was given Grandpi's
wedding ring and Jing was given a lovely heart ring.

The first picture is Jing and I getting married, the next is us
going out for lunch afterward.  Both Jing and I worked at lab
before the wedding, we had a celebratory lunch and then went
back to lab.  On the plus side this meant Papa Joe got to see us
married before he died.

Here is a group picture from our Family trip to Tachau.  This is
just outside the old cemetery that we visited there.  I got
separated from the group when I went down a wrong path on
the way, but caught up to everyone ~20 min later.

Eating ice cream with Yaya and Papa Joe at Kimberly's.  

Abby's 1st Birthday Bash with almost all of Yaya's grand and
greatgrand kids.

Eleanor, 

You are an amazing person!  We
have enjoyed being “honorary
members of the family” from getting
great cards on Halloween (from
unknown person) to the great
cookies that Jane brings us from
you. 

Wishing you a very happy 90th
Birthday! 

Karen Felstein, Munro and Ben

We met YaYa when our daughter, Sarah, starting
dating her grandson, Dr. Ben.   She immediately
has a happy personality with a warm, inviting
smile.  Her smile lights up a room..  She always
asks how you are and how your family is.  She
has a caring nature.   We love each and every
one of her letters, notes and cards.  We enjoy
her stories, words of wisdom and advice.  We are
so glad to be able to share in some way her
special day!   She is a very important part of our
family.  We enjoy sharing our special moments
and talking with her.  We hope her day is very
special, surrounded by all her loved ones.   

We love you! 

Karen and David Antonaitis

Feitler Stories

 
Girl scout camp in DC; Kennedy Grave Around 1965
There was regional Girl Scout gathering in Washington, D.C. 
Eleanor was our Girl Scout leader and determined we would
go to the event.  She pushed us to sell cookies like mad and
held several fundraising events usually involving us baking
items for sale in her kitchen (using her Viennese recipes of
course).  Our troop did attend the event and one of the
highlights was visiting JFK’s grave site.  I remember it was still
the simple markers for him & his infant son and the Eternal
Flame Jacqueline Kennedy lit at the internment.  The image is
with me to this day; far more poignant than the more formal
appearance of the site today

Eleanor’s Christmas Contributions

I’m not quite sure how this works, but our wonderful Jewish
neighbor Eleanor is responsible for two of the most enduring
Sullivan Christmas traditions.

The Christmas Banner
Eleanor painstakingly created a cross stitched traditional
Christmas Banner for the Sullivan family in the mid 1960’s.  It had
several charming little elves holding 24 small rings.  We were to
tie a small gift to the ring each day of December before
Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, each family member would
receive their gifts from the banner. This quickly replaced
Christmas stockings in our family. 

My mother also decreed that the gifts would be for the five
children.  As we got older, we would sneak some on for Mom &
Dad.  Mom used to grumble about having to find such small items
that would be suitable for each us, especially the boys. 
However, over the years, these gifts came to represent treasures
from Mom & Dad’s travels so I think the grumbling was mostly for
show!

Once the grandkids came along, we children quickly got
pushed off the banner.  She would remind each of us as
Christmas approached that we needed to add items to the banner
for our kids.  For the grandkids, it became a centerpiece of our
Christmas Eve family gathering at Nana’s and Da’s.  The tradition
continued right through Mom’s last Christmas on Cooper Avenue
in 2013.

The banner has been
inherited by Tom’s
daughter Jessie and
is now used to continue
the tradition for the Maui
Hawaii contingent of the
Sullivan/Garofalo family. 

The Napoleon Slices
At some of the Feitler parties, my brothers became enamored
of one of Eleanor’s signature cookies, the Napoleon Slices. 
Mom asked Eleanor for the recipe.  In typical Eleanor fashion,
she turned it into a baking lesson.  I was dispatched
to her kitchen one day.  Since the recipe was metric it had to
be converted into American cups/spoons etc.  She got out
her scale with the antique brass weights and proceeded to
measure each ingredient and then place it in a cup or spoon
until we got the right quantity.  I was her recipe scribe.  I was
also instructed in the proper way to grind almonds.

Ever since then, Napoleon Slices must be on any cookie tray I
prepare for Christmas.  Shawn, in particular, is so fond of
them he usually calls me shortly before Christmas to make
sure they are on my “TO DO” list.  He has proclaimed, on
occasion, it isn’t Christmas without them.

The Bat Mitzvahs
Whenever a Feitler girl made her bat mitzvah, Eleanor’s
party planning machine went into full gear. For weeks
beforehand, she would be cooking her specialties (like brisket
and tongue) and baking the most delectable desserts.  I
remember helping make strudel one time.  She could start
with this small ball of dough and declare we were going to
stretch it to the size of a tablecloth for the dining room table. 

I was sure she was kidding but she rolled, stretched and
pulled that little ball to the thinness of tissue paper.  I have
never had a better strudel; not even in Germany. This baking
marathon would inevitably overflow the freezer at the
Feitlers, so boxes of goodies would start to accumulate in
Sullivan’s trunk freezer in the garage.  In a household with
four growing boys, this was not always a good idea.  The trail
of crumbs and the opened boxes betrayed the moochers and
Mom found herself doing some baking (or I would get drafted)
to replace the thievery.

The boys got their comeuppance however.  On the day before
the party, Mom would send them over to Eleanor’s to clean
and help set up tables.  This setup was no small effort since
Eleanor required seated tables for all the guest properly set
with tablecloths, cloth napkins, real china and glass.  Some of
the embroidery on the cloths and napkins was incredibly
intricate and beautiful.

On the day of the party, my brothers were the waiters and
busboys and I was assigned as the kitchen maid. I don’t think
those boys ever worked so diligently for my Mom as they
did for Eleanor!  Eleanor made sure they earned their
purloined pastries.

Shawn and the Great Lockout
This adventure occurred shortly after we moved into
Moorestown in 1961.  Shawn was about 3 years old and
Kevin would have been maybe a year and a half. 
Mom came back from a run to the supermarket.  Shawn, as
usual, was full of energy and running all over the driveway as
Mom is trying to unload.  She takes the boys inside and puts
Kevin in his high chair and tells Shawn to stay with Kevin &
play.  She goes back to the car to start carrying in the
groceries.  When she gets to the front door, it’s locked!!

There’s Shawn right behind the door; he’s locked her out. 
Mom starts calling to Shawn to unlock the door.  He mimics
trying to unlock it and then claims he can’t.  After pleading for
a few minutes, Mom leaves the groceries on the front porch
and decides to try and get in through the side door facing the
Feitler’s yard.  When she gets there, Shawn has anticipated
her and locked the side door.  Now she’s yelling at the top of
her voice to Shawn to open up; she’s got an infant in a
high chair stuck inside!

Eleanor comes out due to the ruckus.  Mom explains and they
both try persuading Shawn to open the door.  He pretends he
can’t get it open; looking as innocent as an angel.  Eleanor
suggests to Mom that she keep Shawn occupied at the side
door and Eleanor will try the back door to the kitchen.  By the
time she gets to the kitchen door it’s locked.

By now I guess Shawn realized he just might be in
trouble. Eleanor sees him run to the front door.  She calls to
Mom to meet her at the front door; it might be open.  Sure
enough it was.  Mom is chasing Shawn up the stairs to
the bedrooms yelling “I’m gonna kill him!” 

Eleanor is right behind her begging “Don’t do it, Kay!”  Shawn
jumps into his lower bunk bed and pulls the covers over his
head.
“You can’t spank me.  I’m napping!”

Now you know how long Shawn has been charming his way
out of trouble.

Eleanor and the Missing Brothers
Around 1966, Mom and Dad bought a rather luxurious used
Oldsmobile (low mileage naturally) from the president of
Catalytic Engineering where Dad worked.  This car had all the
latest bells and whistles including a voice that reminded you
“Fuel is low” and “The door is ajar”.  The boys were fascinated
with all the buttons that operated the windows, the locks and
the trunk opener.

One day, the boys were all playing outside while Eleanor was
in her yard.  Knowing any collection of Sullivan boys could be
problematic, she was keeping an eye on them.  Eventually, she
noticed Joe seemed to be all by himself; not another boy in
sight. 

She comes over and finds Joe playing around the
Oldsmobile. 

Eleanor: “What are you doing?”
Joe: “Nothing”
Eleanor:  “Where are your brothers?”
Joe: “Around”
Eleanor:  “What’s that noise in the trunk?”
Joe:  “What noise?”
Eleanor: “Joe, open the trunk!”

Joe finally hits the button and the trunk flies open.  Stuffed
inside are Tom, Shawn and Kevin pounding madly on the
trunk lid.  Joe had somehow persuaded them to climb in the
trunk, convincing them the auto lock feature would let them
out.  Nope.

Tom tells me that when they saw Eleanor’s face checking
them out in the trunk, they knew it was going to be a tough
night when Dad got home.

Tom’s Solo Dinner
From time to time, we would have a week night dinner with
the Feitlers’ if Dad was out of town and Mom was traveling
with him.  Dinner at Eleanor’s was usually a more tranquil
event than when Mom was feeding our four horsemen of
grocery destruction at the kitchen table.  We would eat in the
Feitlers’ dining room and good table manners were required.

On one such occasion, Tom decided that those rules didn’t
apply to him and became rather rambunctious. After several
warnings Eleanor handed Tom his plate and told him he could
eat in the basement if he could not behave.  Tom was duly
escorted downstairs and dinner resumed.  After a short time,
there was a knock on the basement door.  I am sure Eleanor
assumed Tom was remorseful and she had won her point. 
When she opened the door, she asked “Are you ready to
apologize.”  Tom relied. “No.  But dinner is really good.  Can I
have seconds?”  To give Eleanor her due, Tom got his seconds
(no child would ever be hungry in her house) BUT he ate
them in the basement!

I don’t think raising three civilized daughters ever fully
prepared Eleanor for Mom’s Irish mafia.

Eleanor and the Scottish Poncho
In the spring of 1969, I went on a school trip with Holy Cross
High School to the British Isles. While in Scotland, I decided
to buy a length of Campbell tartan to make a poncho in
recognition of our Grandmother Sullivan’s Scots ancestry,
Campbell being her maiden name.  Despite Eleanor‘s best
efforts, I wasn’t much of a seamstress at the time.  When I got
home, Mom (the tailor’s daughter) looked over my purchase
and found that I hadn’t bought enough fabric.  She decided to
consult with Eleanor to see if there was anything that could
be made from the piece.  Eleanor determined that with very
careful design and manipulation, including using the cloth on
a bias

(which is very difficult to do), a poncho was possible.  Mom
confessed that it was beyond her skills.  Eleanor worked on
that poncho for me for several weeks, fitting, lining, some
fringe trim to eke out the length.  In the fall, I proudly had a
custom Campbell poncho to wear all winter and for many
years to come.

The Irish Rabbi
One year, Joe and Eleanor gave my parents’ a mezuzah on
Christmas.  They explained the purpose and significance to
the memorial and my father was greatly moved.  He decided
to display at our front threshold in accordance with the
tradition as a reminder of our common roots in Judaism and
Christianity.

Some years later, we were periodically plagued with doorstep
evangelists of various aggressive denominations.  They had an
annoying act of insistently ringing doorbells at dinner hour,
in the midst of chores and other inconvenient times.  One
evening, Mom was working in the kitchen and Joe was
keeping her company.  Keep in mind, this is during one of
Joe’s hairier moments in his twenties – think of a shorter Josh
Karchin in one of his more unruly looks.

Sure enough, a couple of these nuisances are leaning on the
doorbell.  Mom can see them since the hallway ran directly
from the kitchen to the front door.  “Not again!”  Joe asks
what’s wrong.  “The preacher pests are back!”  Joe says
“Never mind, I know how to solve this problem.”

He answers the door and immediately these meddlers start
pitching “Are you saved?  You must be reborn!  We are here
to save your soul!”  and waving copies of a publication “The
WatchTower” notoriously anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic. 
Joe waves them down and points to the mezuzah.
“Do you know what that is?”
“No”
“It’s a Jewish prayer symbol; a mezuzah.  This is a Jewish
home!”
“You can still be saved! Claim Jesus as your savior!”
“And I’m a rabbi!”
According to Joe, they nearly broke their necks getting down
the front steps as fast as possible. Even better, we think they
put some secret sign on the house; never bothered by
doorstep bigots again!

This photo is in front of Our
Lady of Good Counsel
Church in Moorestown in
1977, about the time of the
Rabbi encounter.  Left to
right: Joe Tom, Kevin &
Shawn.  Joe is definitely
embracing the hirsute look!

The Roosevelt Portrait
The Feitlers proudly displayed a beautiful black & white
engraved portrait of Franklin Roosevelt in their entry
foyer.  It had been done from life by an artist the Glauber
family knew. My father admired the picture many times. 
As a surprise for Dad in 1964, Joe & Eleanor obtained a
copy directly from the artist.  He also sent along a
personal note detailing the history of the portrait for my
Dad. The portrait was hung over my Mom’s prized
mahogany buffet in our dining room at Cooper Ave. and
President Roosevelt presided over nearly 55 years of
family Thanksgivings, Christmases, graduations, birthdays
and other celebrations.

It was one of the kindest things the Feitlers ever did and
was always one of my father’s most treasured
possessions.  It was passed along to Shawn and currently
hangs prominently in his home in Fayston, Vermont (see
portrait and correspondence below).  I was ready to arm-
wrestle Shawn for it but he’s stronger than me!