
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Oral history with Ira Frank recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a bird's feather with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Card reads: "My thoughts and prayers are with your community. Stay strong, because the entire world is with you. - George [last name redacted]."
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The note, which is written inside a heart, reads: "We love you guys." Two Stars of David appear on the lower right and center.
Sympathy card from the staff of Family Medicine Squirrel Hill to the families of the October 27 victims. Pre-printed word "family" is crossed out and replaced with handwritten word "families."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "I am here in this moment" surrounded by arrows and other geometric symbols. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover shows a Star of David in the center, surrounded by six hearts. Inside features a tree and reads: "May you all be surrounded by love at this difficult time." Back features a Star of David encircled by a heart.
Yellow card with extensive red staining. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Wooden pedestal painted white with white Star of David and red heart affixed to front. Handwritten in pencil and black marker on the Star of David is the name "Melvin Wax." Collaged onto the heart are white pieces of paper and a translation of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Accompanying image shows all 11 Stars of David in the series.
Printed tag with a photograph of David Rosenthal. The tag reads: "In Memory of David Rosenthal." Creasing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Metal sculpture in the shape of a tree feature two-lobed fan-shaped leaves. Sculpture is attached to a circular base and tied with a gold ribbon.
Invitation to Leah's Bat Mitzvah celebration on Sunday May 27th at the Tree of Life synagogue. Illustrations of a palm tree and a sun appear on either side of the central text. On the back, the sender wrote: "I had the best day of my life in this shul. We will never forget what happened. We will make the world a better place."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Our dear brothers and sisters at Tree of Life, You are not alone! I pray that God, our father, will fill you to overflowing with His peace and love as you mourn the loss of your family. May you find comfort in the knowledge that even in this tragedy God is in control and will bring beauty from the ashes. 'My comfort in my suffering in this: Your promise preserves my life.' Psalm 119:50."
Envelope and floral tag with ribbon addressed to Marty and Robert. The tag features an illustration of an owl with mushrooms and other fauna growing out of its head. The inside contains a note to Marty and Robert, whom the sender is thankful did not attend synagogue on the morning of October 27.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. The front reads: "In our hearts" and shows an illustrated heart. The back reads: "Your Jewish family in D.C. is thinking of you and sending so much love your way. Love, GW Hillel."
Typed floral tag from Chestnut Hills Dental. Tape placed over printed message; staple on the right. Creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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 the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover reads: "To: The Jewish community of Pittsburgh. From: Zalman [last redacted] Chicago, Il." The inside reads: "I take upon myself to have more kavane (intention; emotional devotion) when I daven (pray). Moshiach (the Messiah) should come now and their should only be simchas (joyous occassions)." The message is accompanied by an illustration of a building with a set of stairs leading to a door with a crenellated roof. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent in honor of the congregation at Tree of Life Synagogue. The note is printed on a tag with a beige background from a local florist, Oliver Flower Shop.
Card addressed to Cecil Rosenthal. Cover features a reproduction of a painting by Frank Crosby, a resident of the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh. The inside contains messages of love and support written by other members of the Emmaus Community.
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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