
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Oral history of Lauren Bairnsfather, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Typed floral tag from Chestnut Hills Dental stapled to floral wrapping paper. Tape across the message. Extensive tearing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Glass vase containing bouquet of synthetic orange, white, and red flowers. Also includes synthetic roses in cellophane. Note with typed text taped to vase. Note reads, "For our dear friend Joyce Fienberg, from [redacted], Green Templeton College, Oxford University, and [redacted]."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Our hearts are with you. The Bolsters, Point Loma."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The cover contains the following quote: "The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power." An illustration of three stick figures raising their hands, standing on a large rock with a Star of David at the center, before a mountainous landscape with a large sun and clouds, appears on the bottom center. The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I'm very sorry about what has happen[ed]. I do know that people are also very sorry.
Folded card on blue paper with various taped cutouts. Front cover contains a white heart-shaped cutout. Inside features cutouts in the shape of a house, sun, and blue sky. The sun's rays are illustrated in colored pencil.
Message written on a green note card which affirms the importance of words and combatting hate. The note ends with the following words: "Squirrel Hill is in the hearts and minds of everyone in PGH [Pittsburgh] and in the world."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a mandala with floral motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Notecard with green line on the right which reads: "This was wrong and shouldn't have happened. Our hearts go out to you. We know that love is stronger than hate."
Folded card on orange paper. The front cover feature a large Star of David outlined in black marker. The inside features a cartoon of a young girl wearing a Star of David t-shirt. Creasing 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.
Prayer sheet for a memorial service at Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pa. Includes poem titled "Elijah," words to Psalm 121 in Hebrew and English, and a traditional blessing for mourners known as "Hamakom yenachem" presented in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, and English.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover features illustration of heart. Interior reads "We were shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic events in your community. Please accept this token of friendship and caring from a greater community that is in solidarity with you. Beth Chai members Megan and Sylvan [last name redacted for privacy]." Back cover features illustration of rainbow.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover shows a whimsical landscape with a flower, smiling sun, and a fruit tree. Inside features a heart and purple circle surrounded by seven floating items, perhaps leaves or butterflies. Back shows a drooping plant with heart shaped leaves.
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 contains the sender's prayer for peace, love, and unity. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Bright green posterboard with inscription in black marker. Blank back.
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.
Black and white photograph showing two young women standing before the iron gates of a synagogue. Label taped onto photograph reads, "Bess & Rose Velgich in front of Oir Chodosh 1945." Original photograph has pinked edges and dried tape.
Card with colored pencil and marker illustration. When opened, the card shows a tree in the center with a cross on top of a yellow circle in the center left. It is inscribed with the following message: "The tree of life where more life can come to be bet[t]er" and is signed "Samuel [last name redacted]. Risd TX."
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.