
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Summary: New York Jewish Week report compiling responses to the October 27 attack from leadership of national Jewish organizations including Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the Jewish Federations of North America, and the World Jewish Congress.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a pineapple with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as a sticker with the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Large bound volume. Cover features gold writing embossed onto white leather and reads, "Book of Life, New Light Sisterhood, Donated By Mr. and Mrs. Harold Marcus in memory of Herman L. Katz." Interior pages contain handwritten messages in calligraphy.
Handwritten note written in black marker on a notepad page with a blue floral banner and medallion in the upper center. The note reads: "For our neighbors...and Jerry. Cliff and Robin." Piece of tape affixed upper center.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a mandala with 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 tag which reads: "Shalom. Our prayers are with you, our neighbors. Love, T, M, and F." Staining and tearing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a turtle with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. On the left side, the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I will take upon myself to stay in shul (synagogue) at least for 3 aliyas (sections Torah reading where a congregant is called up to the reading podium). On the right side, the card contains cartoonish illustrations of a building and several figures. The acronym "B"SD" (with the help of heaven) appears on the upper right.
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover reads: "To: The Jewish Community of Pittsburgh. From: Yisroel [last name redacted], Chicago IL." The inside reads: "I feel so sad for you. My hachlata (resolution) is to give 3 cents instead of 1 or 2 cents. You should have everything you need. And Hashem (God) should give you all that you need." Spelling errors have been corrected for clarity.
Folded card with colored pencil word art. Cover reads: "Have a good day". Interior reads: "Dear all, I'm so sorry to hear what happened there. We as a Beth Chai would like to send our heart to be there together. We believe world will be better. [Last name redacted for privacy] family."
White posterboard with dozens of hands in red and pink paint. Initialed in multiple colors by creators. The words "Hope and Love," peace signs, and Stars of David are scattered throughout; the words "Hate won't win" appear in the lower center, inside two hands making the shape of a heart.
Oral history of Nancy Bernstein, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Handmade, screen-printed card on yellow paper with green paint. A heart appears in the center. Signed, lower right: "Love, Khira D." The card has been laminated.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Though I feel helpless and unsure of what to do or how to help, this I offer. I stand with you, I mourn with you, I fall on my [?] and cry with you, I get back up with you, I move forward with you. Good and beautiful people of Tree of Life. God bless you, Steve."
Condolence card from First Baptist Church, Berkley in Norfolk, Va. Light blue cover with floral pattern inscribed with the stock message: "Thinking of you with extra special care during this time when memories are stirred and the greatness of your loss can't help but felt afresh." Personalized message on the left flap reads: "We are deeply saddened by your loss. Our prayer is that you will feel the peace and comfort of the Lord in this time of need. May your hearts be lifted and unity forever flow.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "The neighborhood is with you." A heart appears below.
Glass vase containing bouquet of synthetic orange, white, and red flowers. Also includes synthetic roses in cellophane. Note with typed text taped to vase. Note reads, "For our dear friend Joyce Fienberg, from [redacted], Green Templeton College, Oxford University, and [redacted]."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To The Dear Tree of Life Community, I am so, so sorry for the loved ones you have lost in the most unthinkable of ways. Your brothers and sisters in San Diego, at Point Loma Community Presbyterian mourn with you. We pray that you will find a peace that goes beyond human understanding. Know that I am committed to doing- as much as any one person can do to build bridges of love, compassion, and shalom, and that I will always remember your family of faith while doing so.
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.
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.