
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover contains the following quote attributed to Hubert H. Humphrey: "The greatest gift of life is friendship and I have received it. Quote is accompanied by Star of David and a heart. Signed: "By Jace S." The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am a student from Colorado and I heard about the news and I am sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Jace [last name redacted], Goddard Middle School." Back reads: "Friends never say goodbye."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends at Tree of Life Synagogue, My heart hurts and aches for the tragedy and violence you have seen. I have thought about it many times as I sit in my own church with family and friends. May God wake with you always, ALL ways, may His breath be in yours, may you heal and grow together from this horrible loss. With much love, Katie [last name redacted] from PLCPC.
Card addressed to Rose Mallinger. Cover features a reproduction of a painting by Frank Crosby, a resident of the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh. The inside contains messages of love and support written by other members of the Emmaus Community.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dearest brothers and sisters of faith, Words cannot express the sadness and rage we feel in what has happened in your community. May God grant you His peace- as only [underlined] He [underlined] can do and know our love and prayers are with you. In love, Jolene and Dave [last name redacted] Point Loma Pres- San Diego, Ca."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The front and back covers of the card contain illustrated Stars of David. The inside reads: "One God... One Love... One World. I am sorry for your pain and suffering. May God Bless you all. Howard E. [last name redacted]." A Star of David appears in the upper center.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "We are with you- Love is stronger than Hate."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover reads: "To: The Jewish community of Pittsburgh. From: Zalman [last redacted] Chicago, Il." The inside reads: "I take upon myself to have more kavane (intention; emotional devotion) when I daven (pray). Moshiach (the Messiah) should come now and their should only be simchas (joyous occassions)." The message is accompanied by an illustration of a building with a set of stairs leading to a door with a crenellated roof. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Copy paper with the reflexive Hebrew verb for prayer written in dark blue marker. Inscription bleeds through back.
Card with ballpoint pen illustration. One side reads "We Are With You" with zigzag decorations in corners. Reverse reads, "Don't worry. You are not by yourself. We will support you!" with illustration of hand reaching out.
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 is dated Nov. 4 and reads: "Dear Tree of Life Members, We send our love and sympathy to you. We stand by you and all your global family for life. You are our brothers and sisters cherished our heritage through your and our future promises with you. With prayers and love, Rev. Dr. Larry [last name redacted]."
Diamante poem by Jesse [last name redacted], which was sent with the materials from Emergency Ministry Services, a faith-based training and disaster response NGO in San Juan Capistrano, Ca., affiliated with the Orange County Church on the Rock. A diamante poem is a seven-line unrhymed poem which is shaped like a diamond.
Floral tag enclosed in orange envelope from floral arrangement sent by Alfred University. The note is written in black ink on a printed tag with orange lillies on the left edge. The reverse is stamped with the contact information of Squirrel Hill Flower Shop.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "May their memories be a blessing. Love [heart] From Charlotte, NC." Tape on the upper edge.
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 leaf 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 the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I will daven for you and give extra tzadakah (charity) and nothing else should happen like what just happened and when moshiach (the Messiah) comes [?] and Hashem will do t'chiyat hameitim (resurrect the dead). The rest of your life should be successful. From so and so... which." The acronym "BS"D" (with the help of heaven), a common header in traditional Jewish letter-writing, appears in the upper left corner.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. The card reads: "From our community at GW, you are in our hearts. We pray for better days to come, for mitzvot (good deeds) in honor of those lost, for actions of light to crowd out darkness in Squirrel Hill and beyond."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "Dear Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue, An attack on your community of faith is an attack on all of us. We stand with you from afar, and renounce the hatred that brought that madman to your door. Our pastor, Karla Shaw, will deliver this letter (and many others) as a sign of our solidarity with your community. This is a tangible sign of our prayers for your community- for peace, for protection, for security, for understanding.
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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