
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother In Memory of our Brother SYLVAN SIMON 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 note in black ink on lined notepad paper. The note reads: "Pop Up Conversation and [F]ree Listening." Extensive tearing and staining throughout due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "One Love" with peace and heart symbols replacing the letter "o" respectively.
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: "Dear friends: Praying for God's perfect peace and be with you and comfort you in this time of sorrow. Sincerely, Bob [last name redacted]. P.S. Even in this sadness, I believe God will bring good." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Trifold pamphlet with typed text over orange background. Cover includes photograph of Roberta Schomberg and program details. Interior includes photographs of Fred Rogers and the Rodef Shalom Congregation sanctuary and a description of the Pursuer of Peace in Action program series, as well as an advertisement for a toy and book drive hosted by JFCS Pittsburgh. Back page features Rodef Shalom Congregation logo.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "Share the Love! Free Bouquets!"
Single page program, printed front and back. Front includes decorative blue waves with image of dove and the word "peace" below. Program lists order of speakers and includes the names of the victims. Back contains the lyrics to "A Song for Healing" by Gwendolyn A. Mitchell.
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 messages of support and prayer. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
White paraffin candle with burned wick and wax drippings down sides.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a turtle with floral motifs on its shell, feet, and neck. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Printed tag with a photograph of Bernice Simon. The tag reads: "In Memory of Bernice Simon." Creasing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Envelope and floral tag with ribbon addressed to David and Cecil Rosenthal. The tag features an illustration of four birds with various flora and fauna on their heads. The tag reads: "David and Cecil, You two were the stalwarts of TOL [Tree of Life]. You loved them and they loved you. I'm sorry I didn't give you 75 cents for pop that time. Michele."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To our Brothers and Sisters at Tree of Life Synagogue, First off, my heart is saddened by the unspeakable tragedy that visited your community last week. My (one) heart breaks with you and we mourn beside you. Second, I feel anger that this could happen. Anger that anyone who have so much fear and brokenness in them that they could commit this kind of act. Finally, and most profoundly, I feel a sense of hope!
Printed tag with Tree of Life synagogue emblem in the upper right. The tag reads: "America Stands with You." Creasing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "Dear Blessed Children of God, My heart is broken over the recent news of tragedy and the horror and fear that it caused. I pray for peace. I pray for courage and strength to continue to serve our God of love. I pray for healing and again, God's peace. With love, Jackie [last name redacted]."
Video of "An Act of Valor" event held at the Heinz History Center, featuring October 27 attack survivors Dan Leger and Tim Matson and Rauh Jewish Archives Director Eric Lidji.
Clear glass globe vase with rippled lip. Vase filled with translucent marbles and two synthetic light pink roses.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "Dear All, Our hearts are crying with you. We feel you[r] pain. We pray you can worship in your house and feel safe. With Halloween just passing, I am reminded of skeletons and the fact they all look the same. We can't tell someone's faith, color, etc. We are all the same- people of God. Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church is with you, supports you, cares for you. Mary [last name redacted] Elementary School Teacher."
Oral history of Meryl Ainsman, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Praying for comfort for all who mourn. Isaiah 6, verse 2. Our sincerest condolences and love. Paul and Namoi [last name redacted]." Message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white lillies on the left edge.
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.