
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Printed signs in blue and green ink on paper. The signs urge the reader to "Show solidarity" and "stand up for our common values, today tomorrow and always." An illustration of three stylized people raising their hands appears in the upper center, surrounded by the words: "Kindness, Respect, Courage."
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by the Alexander family. The tag reads: "Wishing you all peace" followed by two hearts. Message handwritten in blue ink on a printed tag with a red border and a floral bouquet on the lower left.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life members, You have all been in my heart and prayers this past week. It is impossible to imagine what you all must have experienced, but I would hope that your faith and strong community would be very healing at this time. I am so impressed with the response of your congregation- to just keep going, as the Jewish people have done for thousands of years throughout history.
Typed floral tag from Chestnut Hills Dental. Tape placed over printed message; staple on the right. Creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Note card which reads: "GOD BLESS YOU [heart]."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I will daven for you and give extra tzadakah (charity) and nothing else should happen like what just happened and when moshiach (the Messiah) comes [?] and Hashem will do t'chiyat hameitim (resurrect the dead). The rest of your life should be successful. From so and so... which." The acronym "BS"D" (with the help of heaven), a common header in traditional Jewish letter-writing, appears in the upper left corner.
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The front cover reads: "Faith is the friend that comes along when things just seem to go all wrong." The inside reads: "You are not alone in this tragedy. We will pray for God's peace for your community. Love is stronger than hate. Colleen and Michael."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a flower with geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as a partial stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Diamante poem by Reena [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.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "May God bring you peace and blanket you with His love during this difficult time."
Handwritten letter written in black pencil on pink coloring paper folded in half from the Dillon family. The letter inside is addressed to God, referred to as "Heavenly Father." The Dillon family pray for healing, comfort, and unity. The envelope is addressed to Tree of Life, written in blue pencil.
White envelope with handwritten message in black ink, reading: "In Greatest Sympathy to Residents of Squirrel Hill and Tree of Life Community and Jewish people throughout the world." Staining, creasing, and tearing on the edge due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handwritten note written in brown marker on green coloring paper reading: "Let there be love and light in this world. Our thoughts are with this community. We send our love, light and peace. C. [last name redacted]."
Handwritten card written in pencil, blue and purple crayon, on paper. The note is from a seven year old child [name is illegible]. The note reads: "We won't forget how you spread kindness so we will do the same to the world. Be kind all around." An illustration of a globe appears below. Spelling errors corrected for clarity. Staining and tearing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card with colorful illustration of an architectural, urban landscape. Message inside affirms the senders' love, solidarity, and hope, and wishes of kindness.
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "99.9999999% of Americans are good and caring people!" Tape on the upper edge.
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article putting the October 27 attack in the context of other recent gun crimes and hate crimes, including at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. and the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Ones [heart symbol], We send you love and share your pain and loss. I wish we could kiss you and make it all better. May God bless you and be with you and comfort you in this tragic time. [Heart symbol] Love, Joci and Jim [last name redacted].
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.