
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live)." The inside reads: "I heard what happened and give my fullest sympathy. I am heartbroken by what happened, and really hope moshiach (the Messiah) will come and you'll be united with your dear ones." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Folded card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. Cover features a large peace sign. Inside reads: "Dear member of Tree of Life, I am a Chinese student who study in FVS. I heard this bad event this morning. I feel sorry for your lost. We will support you any time. Best wishes, Iihan [last name redacted]." Illustrated with Star of David.
Plastic Ziploc bag with multicolored blue, red, and yellow ribbons tied into a bow on the upper right corner. Staining and dirt due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover features a large Star of David and contains the following quote attributed to Albert Einstein: "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am sorry for your loss, and violence. I am a student from all the way from Denver, Colorado. So from all of us from Colorado we give you good wishes. Sincerely, Will [last name redacted]."
Handwritten card in blue marker expressing condolences and affirming belief in the resilience of the Jewish people. Signed with the phrase "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live).
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.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside reads: "You are God's chosen people. He loves you so much and so do we. We pray that love wins in your synagogue every day. God bless, The Church at Severn Run." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Stronger Than Hate. Rachel [last name redacted]." A Star of David appears in the lower left corner.
Nine page packet of typed text. First page includes a photograph looking down at a table with plates of food. Second page includes a photograph of lit candles. Packet provides a guide for conducting a Shabbat service in the aftermath of recent antisemitic and racist attacks. Includes instructions, readings, group exercises, and citations.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Front cover contains the following quote: "Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness and bad days give you experience." Shows three small Stars of David on the far left and a cartoonish illustration of a stick figure pushing a pull with a Star of David on top of a heart up a hill on the center right. Inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life Congregation, My name is Yahir [last named redacted] and we heard what happened and we want you to [k]now that we pray for you.
Triangle-shaped card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. The card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life, I am a Chinese [student] who is now studying in U.S. I am sorry about the situation that happened recently. Personally, I support you, do not be afraid! Peace be with you." Star of David in the upper center, peace sign in the bottom center.
Handwritten card in red marker, addressed broadly to tvarious groups impacted by the October 27 attack, including the congregation, the victims and their families, witnesses, police, and first responders. Signed by several families [last names redacted]. The front cover features a reproduction of an eighteenth century engraving of a white heron in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "Love will always win! Don't lose hope. -Gabi Z.-"
Typed bilingual Hebrew and English letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. In English the letter reads: "Dear Rabbi, I hope all is well. I'm talking to you from Montreal. I heard what happened last week and I want to say we have been saying Tehillim (Psalms) for you guys in Pittsburg[h]. The whole Jewish community is so sad and I want to say that we are really sorry. I hope all the injured will be okay and heal faster. Sincerely, Joshua [last name redacted]."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To all of you at Tree of Life Synagogue, Deepest prayers and love reach out to each of you. May God's light and love bring you healing and strength. We are all one in our bonds of faith and goodness and HOPE! You are loved. Wendy [last name redacted]."
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Front cover reads: "We Are One" with an illustrated heart below. The inside reads: "The GW community sends prayers and holds your community in our hearts. We will find a way to come out stronger."
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.
By entering this website, you agree to honor the spirit in which these responses were created and in which they are being shared with the world.
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