
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Card with colored pencil and marker illustration. When opened, the card shows a tree in the center with a cross on top of a yellow circle in the center left. It is inscribed with the following message: "The tree of life where more life can come to be bet[t]er" and is signed "Samuel [last name redacted]. Risd TX."
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.
Note written in black and blue ink on bright pink notecard with a quote from Psalm 29:11 and the phrase "Stronger Than Hate." Star of David left center. Green staining on right edge 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 DANIEL STEIN 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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "June [last name redacted] My sincere heartfelt condolences to my Jewish family. This is a really heartfelt and sad time for me as Jews from Philadelphia sponsored me into this beautiful country allowing me to become a permanent resident. I lived with them for 18 months and raised their daughters as her nanny house keeper.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "My heart, my grief, my compassion, and my best wishes are with all of you. Love, Cherlz from L.A."
Black poster with "Stronger Than Hate" written in white ink. An illustrated heart outlined in white ink with the letters "Pgh" written inside. Warped from water damage; dirt on the back due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
White poster that says "Love, Peace, Justice" in orange, blue, and yellow marker. Illustrated red heart lower left corner. Extensive staining and handwritten message in pencil, which appears on the right, is difficult to read due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial. Blank back.
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 conveys the sender's horror regarding the October 27 attack and their prayers that God grant peace and comfort. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a leaf with geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Typed two-page letter addressed to the Tree of Life synagogue, families of victims, and survivors. Dated Sunday Nov. 18, 2024. Contains tributes from multiple individuals throughout western and central Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Beaver, Elk, and Washington counties, as well as a couple from Pacific Grove, Ca. The second page has since been lost.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front and back cover contains the following quote attributed to the medieval Persian poet, Rumi: "Don't grieve, anything you lose comes around in another form." The words in the quote are overlaid with red, green, and blue shading. A large Star of David enclosed by three circles appears below. The upper flap inside reads: "Just because the light stopped shining, doesn't mean we're stuck in darkness. The moon comes out, but the sun still comes up every day.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue, Although I am a Presbyterian, I have Jewish ancestors. I was so saddened by the tragedy your congregation has [?]. May you have the blessings of the Lord, and may the ones you have lost rest in peace. William H. [last name redacted] San Diego, CA."
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "We will love you forever." Creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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: The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope. "Our hearts are burdened by what happened in Pittsburgh. We know that we serve the same G-d and the G-d of the Old and New Testaments does not call us to violence each other. We pray for healing in Pittsburgh, in synagogues throughout America and for love from all churches.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the word: "Smile" and other floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note in fuchsia pencil, reading: "I've lost loved ones I care about and know how hard it is. Please know I am thinking about you and I'm sorry for your loss." The stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School" appears on the bottom right.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To my Jewish brothers and sisters: I just want you to know that my prayers and love are with you. I cannot imagine your thoughts or emotions, but I am angry and saddened. No matter what I will always be with you. Joel D. San Diego 11/2/18."
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.