
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Handmade card in watercolor on paper. The card features a hand painted illustration of various flowers , including red tulips, growing from the earth against a blue sky. The card reads in the upper center: "Stronger than hate."
Handout on grief, trauma, and critical incident stress debriefing, which was sent with the materials from Emergency Ministry Services, a faith-based training and disaster response NGO in San Juan Capistrano, Ca., affiliated with the Orange County Church on the Rock.
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of a haloed dove flying in front of Noah's ark. The inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life, I'm sorry for your loss. Hope everything goes well. From Bella [last name redacted]."
Diamante poem by Jesse [last name redacted], which was sent with the materials from Emergency Ministry Services, a faith-based training and disaster response NGO in San Juan Capistrano, Ca., affiliated with the Orange County Church on the Rock. A diamante poem is a seven-line unrhymed poem which is shaped like a diamond.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "Dear Fellow Journeyers in Faith- May you experience others holding you in their caring arms during this time of loss and grief. Know you are not forgot. Know God can redeem this tragedy to bring about justice. -A friend in San Diego- Claudia."
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by a couple from Virginia. Handwritten message in blue ink on a printed tag featuring a white orchid on the lower right.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "We love you. You are all so strong." Signed with a heart. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother IRVING YOUNGER z''l -- To his family and community we pray Tanuchamo min hashamayim. May God in Heaven comfort you. The Principals, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Students of Magen David Yeshivah. Brooklyn, NY." Part of a series of 11 flags, each dedicated to one of the victims. Additional photograph shows the entire set of 11.
Blank Goddard Middle School postcard. Front reads: "Goddard Middle School Good News!" and features the school's symbol.
Handmade card illustrated in pink and blue colored pencil featuring assorted hearts in varying shapes and colors. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Light blue card with cut corners. A schematic illustration in blue pencil appears on the center-right, a scribble-scrabble line in black pencil on the center-bottom. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
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 from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "You Got This" surrounded by a border with a grapevine pattern. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Clear glass cylindrical vase with a bouquet of orange, white, and purple synthetic flowers. Bouquet is bound with green plastic ring and string of silver plastic gemstones.
Folded card with pencil illustration. Cover features flower on ground under words "Just remember..." Interior features illustration of heart superimposed on planet Earth with human figures dancing on it and the words, "We Are All Jews Together." Additional note reads, "Please know that Beth Chai Congregation members like us are thinking of you. Karen & Howard [last name redacted for privacy]."
Floral tag addressed to Richard Gottfried. The tag features a white rose on the left and the stock message: "With Deepest Sympathy" in a band on the upper center.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "Be Strong" and other floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Handwritten note written in blue ink on paper. Dated Saturday November 17, 2018 in the upper right corner. Addressed to the people of Pittsburgh and Tree of Life synagogue.
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 contains messages of support, love, and prayer. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Envelope and floral tag with ribbon addressed to Marty and Robert. The tag features an illustration of an owl with mushrooms and other fauna growing out of its head. The inside contains a note to Marty and Robert, whom the sender is thankful did not attend synagogue on the morning of October 27.
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.
The materials on this website are being made available exclusively for research purposes. For permission to use any of the materials on this website for any other purpose, please contact the archive. If you are the creator of any of the material on this website, and you would like to provide context or request to have something removed, please contact the archive. If you intend to reference any material found on this website, please attribute all citations to the Rauh Jewish Archives, so that other researchers can easily locate these materials in the future.