Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Oral history of Tim Crossen, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Laminated printed tag with the contact information for David [last name redacted], a dentist from the Pittsburgh area.
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.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a pineapple with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note with a quote from the nineteenth century American poet Emily Dickinson, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Diamante poem by Reena [last name redacted], which was sent with the materials from Emergency Ministry Services, a faith-based training and disaster response NGO in San Juan Capistrano, Ca., affiliated with the Orange County Church on the Rock. A diamante poem is a seven-line unrhymed poem which is shaped like a diamond.
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 am so sorry for what happened to the people whom you love and know." An illustrated crying, sad face appears below.
Printed note in black ink on white paper. The note reads, in capital letters: "Your Christian brothers and sisters are praying with you." Tearing and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handmade sign illustrated with colored pencil. The sign reads, "Love is Stronger Than Hate," written in blocky bubble letters. An additional message, reading: "We will not forget you," written in an italicized script, appears on top of the bubble letters. Lightly shaded in the background.
Turquoise envelope with handwritten inscription in black ink addressed: "To the Tree of Life." Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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.
Folded card on light blue paper. Extensive creasing and blue and yellow staining. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
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.
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 love you! God is with you always!" The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, We have been so deeply moved by the horrible tragedy your community is working through. Please know you are loved. You are cared for. You are being prayed over daily. Love, [?] family.
Black and white reproduction of a photograph originally printed in a newspaper, showing Greek Revival synagogue. Cropped selection from larger image.
Handwritten letter written in green ink on white coloring paper, folded in half, from Lizzie, age twenty. Addressed to Lizzie's community in Pittsburgh. Lizzie explains her impulse to write this letter: "I'm not sure how to put this in words, but I do know that I have the urge to send something." Lizzie identifies herself as Jewish in her card. Tearing in upper center may be due to exposure to the elements sustained at the Wilkins memorial.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "Hate is not welcome anywhere."
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "We are all praying for you on this tragic day." Signed by the Yu, Kaufmann, and Bernstein families. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handwritten condolence note written in black marker on yellow paper addressed to the congregants of the Tree of Life synagogue.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "Full recovery for all injured."
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.
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