
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
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."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "My thoughts and prayers are with you. Clara [last name redacted]."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a butterfly with geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Typed bilingual Hebrew and English letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. In English the letter reads: "Dear Rabbi, I hope all is well. I'm talking to you from Montreal. I heard what happened last week and I want to say we have been saying Tehillim (Psalms) for you guys in Pittsburg[h]. The whole Jewish community is so sad and I want to say that we are really sorry. I hope all the injured will be okay and heal faster. Sincerely, Joshua [last name redacted]."
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.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "I am here in this moment" surrounded by arrows and other geometric symbols. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card with photograph of flower. Handwritten text on front of envelope reads, "To: Tree of Life in sympathy and solidarity" and back of enveloped reads, "Won't you be my neighbor? Mr. Rogers." Handwritten interior of card expresses love for the Pittsburgh Jewish community and evokes Mr. Roger's: "We are called upon to remember the spirit of Mr. Rogers and love each and every one of our neighbors who make our community so wonderful."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "My prayers are with you all during this unbelievable time of sadness for all of you in this congregation. I was so touched by the love... a beautiful outpouring of love, that you shared with one another during the vigils. The entire community is praying for all of you, and I hope that you are feeling surrounded by our love and prayers! Praying also for peace in our world! Kirsten, with love and blessings."
Envelope and floral tag with ribbon addressed to Marty and Robert. The tag features an illustration of an owl with mushrooms and other fauna growing out of its head. The inside contains a note to Marty and Robert, whom the sender is thankful did not attend synagogue on the morning of October 27.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "To the families and friends of Tree of Life Synagogue: Please be comforted by the prayers for your losses- offered up by believers of many faiths. Only God can know why this tragedy occurred, but know that He will hold you in his loving arms to heal you with his abiding love and faithfulness. The prayer quilt is tired with countless prayers as well. Be comforted when you see it.
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."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The front of the note reads: "Heaven is for everyone! God is Love- We love you. 'If any man says he love God, he's a liar if he loves not his brother.' 'Love they neighbor as thyself.' We are all children of the Lord. We are all the same in God's eyes. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." Illustrations of a smiling heart, five-pointed star, cloud, rainbow, as well as flowers, appear below.
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."
Post-it note with handwritten message written in black marker. The message reads: "We are always with you. You are not alone. Be strong." A smiley face and heart appear below.
Oral history with Lenora Dingus recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
White and purple envelope with handwritten inscription in blue ink addressed: "To: The family of Tree of Life." The location of the sender's home, Norfolk, Virginia, is inscribed in the lower left corner. The upper flap on the envelope's reverse is inscribed with the following note: "We are so broken hearted for your loss." Staining and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card with colored pencil illustration. When opened, the card features an illustration of a tree and grass. It inscribed with the following message: "We are sorry for your loss" and the word "love" surrounded by a heart.
Torn page from a children's coloring book with illustrations of a seal and fish on the front and a lion on the back.
Page of typed text on white paper. Provides detailed descriptions of two recent Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence events.
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.