
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
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 note written in black, pink, and red marker on the back of page from a Staples calendar. The note contains quotes from Ecclesiastes and the South African Jewish philosopher, David Benatar. The quotes articulate the philosophical perspective, championed by Benatar, that procreation is not ethical.
Letter written with red ink on lined notebook paper. The letter reads: "Stay strong. Gone but neve[r] forgotten. From Graccie [last name redacted]. We miss you." Illustrated with a small heart and Star of David.
Sticker with Shabbat-related imagery. Two pink Shabbat candles, labeled in Hebrew: "Shabbat Shalom," appear in the center. Two women, covering their hands, as they bless the candles, appear on either side. Doves appear in the lower right and left corners. Signed lower left.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "We are sorry for your loss and hope you feel better." Note is handwritten in black ink on a printed tag featuring a white rose on the left.
Typed memorial note in honor of Joyce Fienberg. The author recalls personal details about Joyce's research career at the University of Pittsburgh and her caring personality.
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "We are all praying for you on this tragic day." Signed by the Yu, Kaufmann, and Bernstein families. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Printed text of the Hebrew poem "Shalom Aleichem," which is traditionally recited on Friday evenings to welcome the Sabbath angels. Translated into English here. Some of the text in the first line of the final stanza has been cut off. Staining and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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.
Typed poem by Sylvan Kametz and Rabbi Jack Riemer titled "We Remember Them." This poem was originally published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis in a 1978 prayerbook pamphlet geared for Reform Jewish mourners. A handwritten note dated 11/4/2018, written in blue ink appears on the upper register. Tearing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Typed memorial note in honor of Richard Gottfried. The author recalls personal details about Gottfried's identity as a Jew and his commitment to the field of dentistry.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "Friends of fallen victims." Message written in black marker on printed tag with a red rose on the left.
Typed condolence note with the names of the eleven victims of the October 27 attack listed in alphabetical order.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by the Waltons. The tag reads: "Rest in Peace- with love from your old neighbors, The Waltons." The note is handwritten in black ink on a printed tag with blue hydrangeas on the left edge.
Black and white sticker with the word "LOVE" in large capital letters.
Laminated text of the Catholic "Beatitudes" blessing printed on paper with light blue checkered pattern in background. A yellow band with the words "The Beatitudes" appears in the upper center; blue and purple clouds covering the sun appear to the left. A handmade paper medallion with five decoratively rolled spirals and a silver string has been taped to the front.
Typed letter addressed to Jerry Rabinowitz from Louis D. Louis identifies himself as a gay patient of Rabinowitz during the 1980s. He thanks for Rabinowitz for his sensitivity and care. The letter is enclosed in a plastic page protector and has tape residue on the back from the Wilkins memorial.
Laminated copy of poem by Sandra Sturtz titled "May You Always Feel Loved." Poem is printed in black ink with two flowers in the upper right and left corners. Photograph of a sunset over a rocky sea shore in the background.
Floral tag from floral arrangement. The tag features a quote from Psalm 121:4, which reads: "Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber no sleep." The message is handwritten in black ink on a printed tag with white and purple flecked flowers.
Bilingual note written in black ink on lined notebook paper. The message reads in both Hebrew and English: "You are Loved. You are not forgotten." Signed with a Star of David.
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.