
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 the words: "Be Strong" and other floral and geometric motifs. Signed "Nikoletta" on the right. The back contains a handwritten note, "Stronger Together" sticker, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front of the card features an illustration of 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, Ny., the international headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I'm very sad to hear about the tragic passing of the eleven yidden (Jews) who were so brutally murdered al kiddush Hashem (sanctified by God). I hope there will be no more bad things that happen.
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 a turtle with floral and geometric motifs on its shell, legs, and neck. The back contains a handwritten note and a sticker with blue text reading: "Stronger Together." The stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School" appears in the lower center.
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.
Floral tag from floral arrangement addressed to Jerry sent by Darlene [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "To Jerry, Will always remember your kindness and compassionate bedside manner at SSH [Shadyside Hospital]. Love, Darlene [last name redacted] RN." The note is handwritten in black ink on white paper with a watermark in the lower center.
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.
Envelope addressed to Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life. Front cover of the enclosed Hallmark card features floral imagery and says "Thinking of You." Inside reads: "My only connection to each of you is that of a fellow caring, loving human spirit that has the incredible gift of being able to learn and exist with all other living beings on this Earth. Even though that is my only tie to each of you, it is strong enough to share in your sadness and loss..." Continues on the back: "As a community and as a fellow human. May love always conquer hat and fear.
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.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Front shows a tree in autumn with grass and falling leaves. Inside reads: "Nobody deserves to go through what you are going through. Best wishes to all. Love [heart] Beth Chai."
Handwritten letter written in green ink on white coloring paper, folded in half, from Lizzie, age twenty. Addressed to Lizzie's community in Pittsburgh. Lizzie explains her impulse to write this letter: "I'm not sure how to put this in words, but I do know that I have the urge to send something." Lizzie identifies herself as Jewish in her card. Tearing in upper center may be due to exposure to the elements sustained at the Wilkins memorial.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "Pittsburgh, I will always love you. My heart goes out to you and is here too. Pittsburgh Strong."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To our esteemed sisters and brothers I offer sorrow in your losses, comfort to enter into your memories and many blessings for your bright future as a synagogue to overcome. With all my love- Russell [last name redacted]."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The note features an illustration of a heart with the numbers "412" written inside.
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]."
Card addressed to Joyce Fienberg, written using personal details from various public sources.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black ink. The message reads: "Am Yisrael Chai!" Translated into English, this means: "The People of Israel live!" Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handwritten card written in pencil on paper. The card reads: "Dear Family, Hello my name is Elisha D. I am from Netivot, we stand together with you because a loss for you is a loss for us. May you only see simchas."
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.
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 am very sorry for what happened in your shul. I hope everyone that got injured will heal quickly. I hope that it will never happen again. Sincerely, Max [last name redacted] From Hebrew Academy."
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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