
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Handwritten letter written in black ink on glossy, lined notebook paper. The author, who identifies themself as a Hindu, articulates their belief in the Hindu concept of the soul's eternal nature. They conclude their letter with a Hindu prayer transliterated and translated into English. Fading and spotting due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "May the lord Be with you!" The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white and purple flecked flowers.
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.
Handwritten note written in yellow marker on a printed paper with a framed picture with leaves around the edges. The note is written inside the leaf frame and reads: "Eleven beautiful leaves for eleven beautiful sweet souls ripped away... Six strong trees for the six injured but here to stay. Hated can't weaken a city of steel."
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.
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.
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.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "May they Rest in Peace." The message is written in blue ink on a printed tag with multicolored flowers in the lower right corner. The reverse is stamped with the contact information for Squirrel Hill Flower Shop.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Praying for comfort for all who mourn. Isaiah 6, verse 2. Our sincerest condolences and love. Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]." Message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white lillies on the left edge.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by the Brown family. The tag reads: "Pittsburgh Strong. We grieve with you. There are no words. Thank you for standing for love. Thank you for fulfilling Exodus 22:21." Note handwritten in blue ink on a printed tag featuring a white rose on the left.
Printed translation of Psalm 43, according to the English Standard Version (ESV) translation. The person who printed this psalm included a personal, typed note below reading: "Tears are prayers too. They travel to God when we can't speak."
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.
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.
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.