
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "We love [heart] Tree of Life." Staining and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Summary: Pittsburgh City Paper report from havdalah vigil at the corner of Forbes and Murray avenue in Squirrel Hill, organized by students from Allderdice High School.
Handwritten note written in blue ink on a piece of notebook paper. Message is difficult to read due to low ink level. Pink staining throughout due to color bleeding from other nearby materials at the Wilkins memorial.
Oral history with Gemma Del Duca recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
Rectangular lantern box with wood frame and glass panels. Lantern contains electric candle. Back panel is translucent and features image of a tree. Attached to the handle of the lantern is a bow and a bouquet of white lilies. Front panel features text reading, "Memories. They remind us of people and things we hold dear. They bring smiles, laughter, and sometimes tears. No matter what others may do or say, nothing will ever take these memories away. Memories are more than just a link to the past, sometimes they're all we have that will last."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated November 4, 2018 and reads: "Dear Friends, May I never understand the anger and the hatred that has been loosed on you in Pittsburgh. May the awful misunderstanding that leads to these feelings in too many others be washed from the face of the Earth. I am ashamed for so many on our planet, whether they murder Jews, Coptics, journalists, or perceived blasphemers. And I am angered by the fomenting of such terror by our leaders and by the silence of our politicians.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover features a tree with a heart in the leaves. Inside reads: "We stand with you :-) :-) :-)" and features a landscape with a tree in the center and the sun in the upper right corner. Back shows a tree with three five-pointed stars in the leaves.
Black and white photograph showing large group of people in a banquet hall. Label taped onto photograph reads, "1955."
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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends, I offer my deepest sadness and sorrow for the loss that you all have experienced. In no ways can I understand what you're going through as a community, but I want you to know that you're not suffering alone. My heart is breaking for what is breaking yours. May you all know that your Christian brothers and sisters in faith are standing by your side and supporting you with unconditional love. We are all a family, so what hurts one hurts us all.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover reads: "I am sorry" and features a large heart below. It is signed: "By D'mitri." The inside reads: "Dear survivors of the synagogue shooting, I AM sorry FOR your LOSS. This note is from D'mitri [last name redacted]. I live in Colorado."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Cover features an illustration of an American flag and Israeli flag flanking a budding plant in the lower center, and a bilingual quote in English and Hebrew attributed to Ghandi in the upper center. In English, the quote reads: "Be the change you want to see in the world." The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am so sorry for your loss. It breaks my hear to hear about acts of Anti-Semitism. I am keeping you and your congregation in my heart and prayers.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover features the following quote: "Let your smile change the world but don't let the world change your smile." The inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life Congregation, I am very sorry for the bad news. I am a social studies student in Goddard Middle School. I know the feeling of losing someone, and it must be a very hard time for you guys. just so you know we'll be there for you guys and you'll always be in our thoughts. Sincerely, Evangeline."
Folded card with marker and colored pencil illustration. Front and back cover features Star of David inside heart. Interior features illustrations of heart and tree and word "Please accept our love and thoughts at this terrible time. Beth Chai Congregation, Bethesda, Md."
White posterboard with inscription in black ink. Writing bleeds through to back.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "No hate" [heart, broken heart]. Just [heart]."
Card addressed to Jerry Rabinowitz, written using personal details from various public sources.
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 messages of peace, love, and unity. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To Tree of Life Synagogue members, My prayers are with you in Pittsburgh. I know I do not begin to know the pain and grief that is so raw for each of you- but God knows and cares. May you feel the love and concern and care of our church in San Diego. In Him, Rita [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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