
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Triangle-shaped card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. The card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life, I am a Chinese [student] who is now studying in U.S. I am sorry about the situation that happened recently. Personally, I support you, do not be afraid! Peace be with you." Star of David in the upper center, peace sign in the bottom center.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a turtle with floral motifs on its shell, feet, and neck. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover reads: "F.e.a.r. has two meanings- Forget everything and run OR Face everything and rise. The choice is yours." A star of David and cartoonish illustration of a smiling boy wearing a red baseball cap appear below; a shining sun in the upper right corner. The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, We are sorry for your loss and we hope you are recovering well. -Aiden G. Littleton, Colorado." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
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. Front cover reads: "We Are One" with an illustrated heart below. The inside reads: "The GW community sends prayers and holds your community in our hearts. We will find a way to come out stronger."
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. The back contains a handwritten note, a "Stronger Together" sticker, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
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.
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.
Note in black ink on cardboard reading: "I do not have much and I have fallen far from the faith but I stand with you. I pray for you. I love you not because of Religion or faith but because we are All Human. - A Mother."
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: "Sorry for your loss. We will remember you. P.S. We will pray for you. Aden."
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: "I'm sorry for your loss. Jayden."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front and back cover reads: "One of the happiest moments ever is when you find the courage to let go of what you can change." The inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life Congregation, I am so very, very sorry for your loss (losses). I know what it's like to lose someone. I am Camden. I am a student at Goddard Middle School. I am 13. I think that what happened with the shooting was not ok. Just because people have beliefs that are different it doesn't give people the right to do something that.
Card with colored pencil illustration. When opened, the card features an illustration of a tree and grass. It inscribed with the following message: "We are sorry for your loss" and the word "love" surrounded by a heart.
White and purple envelope with handwritten inscription in blue ink addressed: "To: The family of Tree of Life." The location of the sender's home, Norfolk, Virginia, is inscribed in the lower left corner. The upper flap on the envelope's reverse is inscribed with the following note: "We are so broken hearted for your loss." Staining and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Large square card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. Card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue, My name is Shi Dao [last name redacted]. I'm from a city in North-East China. I am sorry this tragedy happened. My deepest condolences. May peace be with you. Nov. 5, 2018. From a Chinese in Colorado."
White envelope with a handwritten note in blue ink, reading: "To Our Jewish Friends and Neighbors." Staining, color bleeding, and minor tearing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover features a tree with a heart in the leaves. Inside reads: "We stand with you :-) :-) :-)" and features a landscape with a tree in the center and the sun in the upper right corner. Back shows a tree with three five-pointed stars in the leaves.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "We are thinking of you and hope you may find peace during this tough. You and your families are in our thoughts. I know God is thinking of you and will keep you protected in his hands while you go through this. It is not fair and we won't understand why this happens. It is terrible and God doesn't give us more than we can handle but it sure feels that way sometime. Just keep peace in your heart and forgiveness for this senseless act.
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."
Note with hand drawn illustration of two flowers and the moon. The illustration is accompanied by the following message: "When I'm in alignment with the love of the universe, peace cannot be disrupted." Illustration by Micaela [last name redacted] and words by Gabrielle [last name redacted]. Fading and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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.