
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The front cover reads: "Letters." The inside reads: "To Tree of Life family: Who can explain such an event? And how do we move forward? My prayer is that your faith in your God will see you through this grieving time and heal you all with His Grace. Steve [last name redacted]."
Printed card with the seven biblical laws of Noah. Each law is printed in the respective colors of the rainbow. Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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."
Wooden pedestal painted white with white Star of David and red heart affixed to front. Handwritten in pencil and black marker on the Star of David is the name "Melvin Wax." Collaged onto the heart are white pieces of paper and a translation of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Accompanying image shows all 11 Stars of David in the series.
Post-it note with hand drawn illustration of repeating stars and hearts in green marker.
Printed card in black ink on white paper. The card contains a large, empty rectangle outlined in black and reads: "I am thankful for people who help me. Nehemiah builds a wall. Nehemiah 1-6."
Card with colored pencil illustration. Cover features an illustration of a leafy tree with pink asterisk-shaped stars, labeled: "The place where new life can grow." Inside reads: "Baruch dayan ha'emet" in English and Hebrew, and "I am sorry for your friends and families loss. I know what it feels like. So I am sending all the way from Texas this blessing." The back is signed: "Miriam." Spelling errors have been corrected in this transcription.
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover of the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live)." The card reads: "I feel so bad for you from now and there should be no more bad stuff and moshiach (the Messiah) should come right now!" The acronym "B"SD" (with the help of heaven) appears on the upper right corner of the left fold. There are two illustrations of large smiley faces wearing t-shirts with smiley faces and yarmulkes (skullcaps) with the Hebrew word moshiach (the Messiah).
Handwritten note written in black marker on white paper with the first names of the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. Creasing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Typed letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. The letter reads: "Dear Rabbi, My name is Joelle. I'm 10 years old. I live in Montreal. I go to Hebrew Academy, a private school. I'm sorry to hear that there was a shooting. I feel so bad. It doesn't matter what religion you are, you have to respect other[s] just the same way you have to respect Hashem (God). We should always know that we are stronger than hate. So bad things can't happen we have to faith and emunah (trust) in Hashem. I feel so bad. From: Joelle. P.S.
Floral tag enclosed in white envelope from floral arrangement. The envelope is hand illustrated in blue ink with a tree in the center and has a hole punch in the upper left corner. The tag is addressed to Squirrel Hill and reads: "To the neighborhood that gave me my friends, my craft, my fiancee, my passion, and my livelihood, shine on, love on, heal on, grow and hug, and thrive and be gentle with one another. Heal. Heal. Heal. Love."
Handmade card in watercolor and ink on paper. The front side features a hand painted illustration of a braided Challah loaf, traditionally prepared for the Jewish Shabbat. The card is signed: "Love and solidarity from Morgantown, WV." Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Black cotton t-shirt with the words Stronger Than Hate in white to the left of a modified Pittsburgh Steelers logo with a Star of David replacing the yellow hypocycloid.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Please accept our heartfelt condolences in the loss of your beloved congregation members, from our congregation at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, CA. In LA, I grew up living next to a Rabbi (Marvin Bornstein) and his dear family. He was familiar with loss as well, having left medical school in Vienna at the onset of WW II. I learned from his example of love, tolerance and peace.
Handwritten card in pink and orange marker on pink paper. The card reads: "Sorry for this tragedy. We love! Adeline." A large, striped, inverted triangle appears below the word "Sorry." Small hearts and peace symbols appear throughout.
Pink card with a large heart with the words "Rose-Ferree Street misses you" inside.
Flyer with "Stronger Together" in blue and red handwritten font against photograph of the skyline of Pittsburgh with a tree imposed against the clouds. Includes information about event and the names of featured performers, as well as various logos. A small note reads: "In memory of our holy brothers and sisters who died sanctifying G-d's name at Tree of Life-Ohr L'Simcha."
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]."
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.
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