
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 flower with geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a quatrefoil with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well a sticker with the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Black and white photograph showing the original section of the Tree of Life synagogue located at the corner of Wilkins Avenue and Shady Avenue in Squirrel Hill.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Tree of Life, Love always wins. We are with you. Blessings, Dolly and Stan [last name redacted]."
White ceramic vase (Lenox Poppy Vase) with gold trim at bottom rim and flower pattern. Vase contains stalks of wheat and dried lotus pods bound together with a strip of fabric. Fabric has an autumn harvest theme. Attached to the lotus pod are a not bound in fabric and a wooden heart. Note includes the names of the 11 victims and the message, "Our deepest sympathies to your family, friends, and the Tree of Life community. Our hearts are broken, but our strength is strong. Hate will not win. [Redacted] Denniston and Hastings." Vase has dirt and cobwebs around bottom.
Printed tag with a photograph of David Rosenthal. The tag reads: "In Memory of David Rosenthal." Creasing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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."
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.
Tri-fold pamphlet with typed text. Cover includes logos for Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, Ceasefire PA, and Bed the Arc: Jewish Action Pittsburgh. Interior provides statistics about gun violence, information about legislative priorities, and calls for action. Back cover features photograph of Pittsburgh skyline.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Front reads: "Kindness" and shows a girl asking "Are you okay"? The back shows a second girl, responding: "Yes, I am okay". Inside reads: "Dear Pittsburg[h], Our hearts go out to you in this sad time. May you find peace, and comfort, and a beacon of hope. Laurie and Michael."
Laminated prayer card with text of the "Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help" on the reverse. The front side features a reproduction of a medieval-style icon of the Virgin and child against a gold backdrop. This prayer card has the imprimatur of the former archbishop of Boston, William Cardinal O'Connell (1859-1944).
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear members and brothers and sisters- May you each know that our prayers are with you. May you find peace through God's love. Sam W. May our God be gracious to you in your time of difficulty beyond difficulty. Our [?] God is yours. David [last name redacted]."
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by the Manitoba Islamic Association in Canada. The tag reads: "Words cannot begin to express our sorrow at the senseless attack at a house of worship. Please accept our deepest condolences from the Manitoba Islamic Association." The message is printed on a tag from a local florist.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "You Got This" surrounded by a border with a grapevine pattern. 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 note is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside contains a quote from 1 Peter 4:3 about love and a prayer for God's love. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "Our prayers and sadness are with 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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "To the Tree of Life Synagogue, Our love and support go out to you. Only the Love of God in us can help to overcome such a tragedy and grief. Stay strong, stay united, and know that we at Point Loma Church in San Diego are praying for you and remembering you. With His Love, Geri [last name redacted]."
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "Sending love from Detroit, MI." Tape on the upper edge.
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustration in blue and green marker. The message reads: "Nothing is lost on the breath of G-d." An illustration of a dove holding an olive branch against the backdrop of cresting waves or mountains.
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.