
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
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 congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of a haloed dove flying in front of Noah's ark. The sender added four colored rectangles inscribed with the following messages: "Mandy [last name redacted] LOVE everyone" and "Shine Bright with Love." The inside reads: "Wishing you a very peaceful life with people who love and care about your loss. Have a happy holiday(s)! From: Mandy [last name redacted]. To: You."
Folded card with colored pencil word art. Cover reads: "Have a good day". Interior reads: "Dear all, I'm so sorry to hear what happened there. We as a Beth Chai would like to send our heart to be there together. We believe world will be better. [Last name redacted for privacy] family."
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."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue- My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of 11 of your friends, family, and members. The members of my church, Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California have been praying for your congregation. We hope and pray that over time your hearts will heal and peace will enter to fill the void left by the 11. El."
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover reads, "You are great the way you are and nothing can stop that no matter what." Interior reads, "I hope you guys feel better. This card is for you and I hope it makes you guys feel better. You guys should be treated the way you are no matter what. Don't let people hurt you. You are stronger than them" and the name "Howard [last name redacted for privacy]." Back cover reads "I wish you the best of luck" with smiling heart.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Praying for comfort for all who mourn. Isaiah 6, verse 2. Our sincerest condolences and love. Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]." Message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white lillies on the left edge.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "You are in our thoughts and prayers knowing our Karla was living in your neighborhood has helped us so much-"
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "On the street where I lived many years ago. I remember it with calm and safety. May this spot once again, one day, be a place of comfort and peace for my Jewish community and all people."
Floral tag from floral arrangement addressed to David Rosenthal from Gayle and Gloria. The tag reads: "To David, Beautiful person, kind, loving, and so sweet! Love, Gayle and Gloria." The note is handwritten in blue ink on a pink printed tag with a logo 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.
Handwritten card in pink marker on paper. The card contains illustrations of a flower and two hearts and reads: "Simon. May their memory be a blessing." Folded on the sides.
Note written in black and blue ink on bright pink notecard with a quote from Psalm 29:11 and the phrase "Stronger Than Hate." Star of David left center. Green staining on right edge due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handwritten card in colored pencil on paper. A blue and green colored globe, surrounded by alternating male and female stick figures in purple, red, and yellow, appears in the center. The globe is inscribed: "We are thinking of YOU!!" The upper and lower edge of the card reads, in Hebrew: "Am Yisrael Chai"(the People of Israel live). Four Stars of David appear on either side of the globe. Signed: "Hannah S. 8th grade at Yeshivat Noam."
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.
Folded card on red paper with handwritten messages in black marker. The front cover is addressed: "To the strong and resilient Jews of Squarrel [Squirrel] Hill," with a heart. The inside contains a message of support and solidarity from an anonymous Jew.
Message written on a green note card which affirms the importance of words and combatting hate. The note ends with the following words: "Squirrel Hill is in the hearts and minds of everyone in PGH [Pittsburgh] and in the world."
Handwritten letter written in black pencil on pink coloring paper folded in half from the Dillon family. The letter inside is addressed to God, referred to as "Heavenly Father." The Dillon family pray for healing, comfort, and unity. The envelope is addressed to Tree of Life, written in blue pencil.
Printed note in light blue ink on white paper. The note reads: "Love and Peace" and is illustrated with peace symbol.
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.