
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Rectangle-shaped card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. Card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue. I am an international student from China. I am sorry for your loss and will stand with you. May peace with you and stay stong. Shalom. Warmly, Xiao Chao [last name redacted]." Small Star of David in lower right.
Square card with white and yellow text against blue background. Card reads, "Mitzvah4Pittsburgh. Some spread darkness. We spread light. Choose a good deed. Choose a Mitzvah. Add light to the world," followed by four options and a place for respondents to list their name and email address. Some names and email addresses have been redacted for privacy.
Card with colored pencil illustration. Cover features an illustration of a leafy tree with pink asterisk-shaped stars, labeled: "The place where new life can grow." Inside reads: "Baruch dayan ha'emet" in English and Hebrew, and "I am sorry for your friends and families loss. I know what it feels like. So I am sending all the way from Texas this blessing." The back is signed: "Miriam." Spelling errors have been corrected in this transcription.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Love is awesome." Tape affixed to the upper edge.
Floral tag enclosed in white envelope from floral arrangement. The envelope is hand illustrated in blue ink with a tree in the center and has a hole punch in the upper left corner. The tag is addressed to Squirrel Hill and reads: "To the neighborhood that gave me my friends, my craft, my fiancee, my passion, and my livelihood, shine on, love on, heal on, grow and hug, and thrive and be gentle with one another. Heal. Heal. Heal. Love."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, 'Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.' Know God's arms are wrapped around your community and the love of all of us are cradling you. Love, Susan [last name redacted], Moderator, Presbytery of San Diego.
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "Love Wins. Love and prayers from York, AA. T.B.I."
Printed note on behalf of Jerry Rabinowitz. The note contains photographic illustrations of a bicycle, fanny pack, and whistle. It reads, in blue letters: "Our Friend Jerry."
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "Love will always prevail. Together against hate." The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with multicolored flowers in the lower right corner. Tape in the upper center. The reverse is stamped with the contact information for Squirrel Hill Flower Shop.
Hardwritten card in blue pen on white paper, offering condolences following the October 27 attack.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To our Brothers and Sisters at Tree of Life Synagogue, First off, my heart is saddened by the unspeakable tragedy that visited your community last week. My (one) heart breaks with you and we mourn beside you. Second, I feel anger that this could happen. Anger that anyone who have so much fear and brokenness in them that they could commit this kind of act. Finally, and most profoundly, I feel a sense of hope!
Folded card on yellow paper with handwritten messages and marker illustrations. The front cover reads: "Have Hope." The inside reads: "Remember to stay hopeful during these hard times. Our are thoughts are with you." A yellow-outlined smiley face appears below. The back reads: "Pittsburgh will support you" and features a large Star of David illustrated in yellow.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Beloved of the Lord- We cry with you in your sorrow, loss, and anger, And we pray with you for healing, forgiveness, hope and peace- Because of the One God who gave life to us all. In the name of His Son, Yeshua, Your sister, Kate [last name redacted]."
Card with large pink rose on the cover with note from Amanda, Jon, Anne Elisabeth, Daniel, and Jay [last name redacted] inside."
Handwritten note written in black marker on recycled paper. The note reads: "Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted. We grieve with you. Squirrel Hill Neighbors." Tearing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial. The back of the note has the silhouette of a box with two circles on a grey background.
Envelope addressed to Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life. Front cover of the enclosed Hallmark card features floral imagery and says "Thinking of You." Inside reads: "My only connection to each of you is that of a fellow caring, loving human spirit that has the incredible gift of being able to learn and exist with all other living beings on this Earth. Even though that is my only tie to each of you, it is strong enough to share in your sadness and loss..." Continues on the back: "As a community and as a fellow human. May love always conquer hat and fear.
Handmade card illustrated with multi-colored crayons on light purple paper. The front features a child's illustration of an animal, perhaps a horse, with its mouth open wide in the shape of the letter C. The back features a blob outlined in brown crayon and other undecipherable imagery.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Praying for comfort for all who mourn. Isaiah 6, verse 2. Our sincerest condolences and love. Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]." Message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white lillies on the left edge.
Sticker with Shabbat-related imagery. Two pink Shabbat candles, labeled in Hebrew: "Shabbat Shalom," appear in the center. Two women, covering their hands, as they bless the candles, appear on either side. Doves appear in the lower right and left corners. Signed lower left.
Terms of Use
The October 27 Archive collects responses to an antisemitic attack in Pittsburgh, Pa. on October 27, 2018. These responses take many forms but share a motivating impulse. Each began in the mind and heart of someone who was moved by the events of that day and was compelled to create something meaningful from that feeling. By sharing these responses, those people chose to be vulnerable for the sake of a greater good. The October 27 Archive website was launched with the belief that sharing these responses with the world can provide an avenue for people all over the world to reflect, learn, and heal.
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