
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "Baruch [redacted]. To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I'm so sorry about what happened. I am going to bring and wash my hands in the morning in honor of all those people who passed away." A smiley face with a yarmulke (skullcap) with Hebrew letters appears below. The Hebrew acronym "B"H" (Bless God/Thank God) appears in the upper right. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Features a bilingual Hebrew and English message and reads: "Am Yisroel Chai (The People of Israel live) forever and ever. NEVER FORGET IT!!!"
Folded card on pink paper. Burn damage visible in the upper right edge of the card, perhaps due to proximity to an illuminated candle. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Rectangular cardboard sign. Front reads, "LOVE They Neighbor" with a heart in purple, green, blue, and read marker. Back includes signatures from the Wolfson children.
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 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."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a flower. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
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 inside reads: "We all pray for you of what happened. We pray the people that are hurt to get better and the people that died to be happy in heaven. Aubry M Holy Angels 4th grade." Color bleeding due to water exposure at the memorial site.
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustration. The message reads, in Hebrew: "Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Live)." A large heart and smaller Star of David appear in the upper and lower center.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black ink. The message reads: "God's love for the Jews, his people is stronger than the wicked mess of the evil. May the Jews be blessed forever. H. [last name redacted]." Staining and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Printed signs in blue and green ink on paper. The signs urge the reader to "Show solidarity" and "stand up for our common values, today tomorrow and always." An illustration of three stylized people raising their hands appears in the upper center, surrounded by the words: "Kindness, Respect, Courage."
Summary: The Incline breaking news report on October 27 attack, updated throughout the day. Includes timeline of the attack, early details about victims and alleged perpetrator, reports about upcoming vigils, and information about Tree of Life Congregation.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "We are sorry for your loss and hope you feel better." Note is handwritten in black ink on a printed tag featuring a white rose on the left.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Members, We at the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in California extend our most heartfelt feeling for you in the time of mourning. It is our wish that your healing take place as soon as possible. We are with you in your loving God. Jay [last name redacted]."
Folded card on red paper with blue and pink stains. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Handwritten tag in silver ink on heavy cardstock lined on an orange backing. A small snail, labeled: "Certified and Official Snail Mail" is embossed on the upper center. The note reads: "With Love, Mark [last name redacted] Beaver Dam, WI." Dirt stains due to exposure to elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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 inside reads: "We are praying for you. May God guide you through. Love, you[r] friend at Holy Angels." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Black and white photograph showing six men sitting on construction equipment in front of building. Label taped onto photograph reads, "Spring 1970: Jules Karpas, Sam Feldman, Bill Weiss, Elkin Avner (designed new sanctuary), Rabbi Pinchus Miller, Pres. Nate Landy."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, We learned in church today, our Pastor Karla lived in the community where the tragic incident happened last week. We feel even more insight and sorrow for all involved. We want to offer our love, empathy, future blessings and also prayers for every family affected. We grieve for you, we pray for you, we pray for us all to be as one, we love you. Your San Diego friends in Christ from Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.
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.