
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.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover features the following quote attributed to the great ancient Roman orator, Cicero: "While there's life, there's hope. -Marcus Tullius Cicero." An illustration of a large Star of David appears below. The quote and illustration are outlined with a repeating pattern of blue and white lines. The inside reads: "Dear L'Simcha Congregation, My name is Olivia [last named redacted]. I live in Littleton, Colorado. I am Jewish.
Laminated copy of poem by Sandra Sturtz titled "May You Always Feel Loved." Poem is printed in black ink with two flowers in the upper right and left corners. Photograph of a sunset over a rocky sea shore in the background.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends, we share deeply in your sorrow. Our prayers continue; please feel the strength and love that we send to each of you. With love and prayers, Cynthia [last name redacted]."
Summary: Pittsburgh Current breaking news report on the October 27 attack. Updated throughout the day. Includes interview with neighbor of alleged perpetrator of October 27 attack, report from press conference held by Pittsburgh Director of Public Safety Wendell Hissric, and comments from state and local officials.
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 reads: "We [a]re with you. We love you. We care about you." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The front cover features a dog. The inside reads: "God loves you and we do, too! Love, NATALIE" and features illustrated stick figures representing the sender, labeled "Me" and "My friend Benji."
Handwritten note written on lined notebook paper reading: "Filled with grief- Prayers for peace and justice."
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.
Pages of typed text.
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother JERRY RABINOWITZ z''l -- To his family and community we pray Tanuchamo min hashamayim. May God in Heaven comfort you. The Principals, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Students of Magen David Yeshivah. Brooklyn, NY." Part of a series of 11 flags, each dedicated to one of the victims. Additional photograph shows the entire set of 11.
Handwritten letter written in black ink on lined notebook paper from Jennifer of Indiana, Pa.
Two-sided sheet of printed text. Front contains an open letter to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh from the members of the Vaad Harabonim. Back contains a day-long schedule of classes and programs, as well as the names of the victims of the October 27 attack.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "My thoughts and prayers are with you. Clara [last name redacted]."
Handwritten note written in black, pink, and red marker on the back of page from a Staples calendar. The note contains quotes from Ecclesiastes and the South African Jewish philosopher, David Benatar. The quotes articulate the philosophical perspective, championed by Benatar, that procreation is not ethical.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your congregation during this most difficult time. We here in San Diego pray for your healing. Jeanie."
Rectangle-shaped card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. Card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue. I am an international student from China. I am sorry for your loss and will stand with you. May peace with you and stay stong. Shalom. Warmly, Xiao Chao [last name redacted]." Small Star of David in lower right.
Handwritten note written in blue ink on paper. Dated Saturday November 17, 2018 in the upper right corner. Addressed to the people of Pittsburgh and Tree of Life synagogue.
Print outs with English and Hebrew lyrics from popular Jewish and Israeli artists and poets, including Hannah Szenes (Senesh), Arik Einstein, Matisyahu, and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. A handwritten note in blue ink reading "May your memory be eternal" appears on the second page.
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.