
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads, in English and Hebrew: "Be strong, be strong and may we all be strengthened."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of seven children holding hands around a table with a large goblet and loaf of braided bread, and seven doves. The illustration is labeled: "We are people of God's peace." The inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life member. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Holy Angels\CCD. Jason [last name redacted]." Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the ink on this card has partially lifted.
Card with colored pencil and marker illustration. When opened, front side shows illustrations of two five pointed stars and a stack of hearts, and is inscribed: "Margow. We are sorry for your loss." Back shows a tree with spiral-shaped branches and heart-shaped bow and arrows with a rectangular border with hearts in each corner.
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.
Folded card with crayon illustration. Cover features heart surrounded by circles and name Max. Interior reads "Things do get better. I am sorry for the 11 killed and their families. But the world's not over. How will you bounce back from the tragedy. You guys are really strong sticking through the tragedy." Second note reads. "We are with you! Michele."
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Message in the upper left corner has been partially erased by water damage at the memorial site. The remaining portion reads: "And love to you community" followed by a heart symbol. The message in the bottom right reads: "Our hearts are with you- sending love your way" followed by heart symbol below.
Floral tag from floral arrangement addressed to the Congregation and Staff at Tree of Life Synagogue. The message is printed on flower tag from a local florist. Creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a leaf with geometric and faunal motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of seven children holding hands around a table with a large goblet and loaf of braided bread, and seven doves. The illustration is labeled: "We are people of God's peace." The inside reads: "I send you all of my sorrowness, and I pray for the victims of the shooting."
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.
Summary: New York Jewish Week report compiling responses to the October 27 attack from leadership of national Jewish organizations including Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the Jewish Federations of North America, and the World Jewish Congress.
Handwritten note written in black ink expressing the author's wish that the site of the October 27 attack and its memory become a source of love and strength. Tearing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "To the families and friends of Tree of Life Synagogue: Please be comforted by the prayers for your losses- offered up by believers of many faiths. Only God can know why this tragedy occurred, but know that He will hold you in his loving arms to heal you with his abiding love and faithfulness. The prayer quilt is tired with countless prayers as well. Be comforted when you see it.
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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "We wish you Peace and Love. May you feel that most people in the world love you and feel your sorrow. Love, Betty and Jack [last name redacted] Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Please feel our love, our support and our commitment to peace in this world. Our church community holds you and your congregation in our hearts. Susan [last name redacted]
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "What is the name of the deep breath I would take over and over for all of us? Call it whatever you want, it is happiness, it is another one of the ways to enter fire. -Mary Oliver."
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.