
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Clear ribbed glass bottle with packing tape around base. Dirt and small leaf stuck to tape. Bottle contains a variety of synthetic flowers and greenery including sunflowers, oak leaves, grass, and glitter-covered poinsettias.
Summary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report detailing how several Jewish institutions in Allegheny County responded to the immediate breaking news of the October 27 attack. Includes reports from Shaare Torah Congregation, Chabad of South Hills, and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Includes comments from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh detailing security measures undertaken within the Jewish community in recent years. Report also includes quotes from a havdalah vigil held at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues on the evening of the attack.
Award medal attached to light blue ribbon and housed in blue velour jewelry box. Design of medal features City of Pittsburgh crest.
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 is dated 10/28/18 and reads: "know that God see you all and may the peace that surpasses all understanding fill your hearts. You all will be in my prayers! -Amen." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Printed paper square with the "Stronger Than Hate" emblem. Lamination has started to separate from the paper, as well as color loss, due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Note card which reads: "GOD BLESS YOU [heart]."
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover shows a whimsical landscape with a flower, smiling sun, and a fruit tree. Inside features a heart and purple circle surrounded by seven floating items, perhaps leaves or butterflies. Back shows a drooping plant with heart shaped leaves.
Folded card with marker and colored pencil illustration. Front and back cover feature spread of tree emerging from blue field. Interior features scribbles and name "Veronica." Additional message reads "Our hearts go out to you at this tragic time, along with our wishes for healing. The Beth Chai Congregation of Greater Washington, D.C."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of a haloed dove flying in front of Noah's ark. Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the message in this card has been partially erased. The remaining text reads: "[?] everybody is ok...praying for those...are hurt and kill. [Na]me: Elio age: 10... [Holy Ang]els" CCD."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of a haloed dove flying in front of Noah's ark. It is signed: "[S]ean [last name redacted] Holy Angels CCD Grade 5." Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the message in this card has been partially erased. The remaining text inside reads: "[D]ear Tree of Life Members, I am very sorry of what happened... that peace is comforting everyone...tragedy in synagogue. P.S. Peace be with you.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "To the beautiful Tree of Life community in Pittsburgh from a Presbyterian in San Diego: Shalom... May your deepest sorrows be comforted by God's soothing peace. May you feel the support of others around the world. Imagine me, a teacher named Carolyn V., carrying 2 buckets to hold your tears and mine as I grieve with you. Never let evil win. LOVE WILL TRIUMPH. Love from C. [last name redacted] [heart symbol]."
Single page with typed text and hand-drawn illustration of an open Torah scroll, Shabbat candles, and a kiddish cup. Text lists details of event and includes quotation from Statement of Principles.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover shows a Star of David in the center, surrounded by six hearts. Inside features a tree and reads: "May you all be surrounded by love at this difficult time." Back features a Star of David encircled by a heart.
Business card from Pastor J. Hogan of Faithbridge Community Church.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "I am here in this moment" as well as arrows and other geometric motifs; a handwritten inscription appears above. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card with pre-printed message reading, "'Sorry is not a big enough word to express the concern we feel for you." Interior includes handwritten signatures and messages from various members of the staff."
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads, in Hebrew and English: "Rest in Peace." Signed by Rabbi Fred Pomerantz.
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, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
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 "Joyce Fienberg." 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.
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.