
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Summary: WESA profile on alleged perpetrator of the October 27 attack, including background on his social media posts about HIAS. Includes comments from HIAS President Mark Hetfield and from social media platform Gab.
Summary: Pittsburgh City Paper breaking news report on the October 27 attack. Includes real-time tweets from City Paper publisher Justin Matase and comments from various local elected officials.
Pages of typed text with illustrations. Includes test of newly written prayer for New Community Chevra Kadisha members, verses include Psalm 121:1 and Hosea 14:7, Talmudic citation from Rabbi Akiva (Mishna Yoma 8:9), prayer for guests of the New Community Chevra Kadisha, the Priestly Blessing, and a translation of Tefilat Haderech (The Traveler's Prayer") by Debbie Friedman
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.
Spiral bound booklet with peach-colored cover page, gray binding, and light blue back cover, 43 pages. Contains information for members, including descriptions of officer responsibilities, a guide for leading services, and contact information for Jewish resources in Pittsburgh. Two pages containing contact information have been redacted from digital version.
Folded card with marker illustration. Front and back cover features illustrations of heart superimposed on tree. Interior features illustration of rising sun and words "a chance for a new day" on one side and "You will get through. It will be okay! Jay [last name redacted for privacy" and a smiling face.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover contains the following quote attributed to Hubert H. Humphrey: "The greatest gift of life is friendship and I have received it. Quote is accompanied by Star of David and a heart. Signed: "By Jace S." The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am a student from Colorado and I heard about the news and I am sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Jace [last name redacted], Goddard Middle School." Back reads: "Friends never say goodbye."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front and back cover contains the following quote attributed to the medieval Persian poet, Rumi: "Don't grieve, anything you lose comes around in another form." The words in the quote are overlaid with red, green, and blue shading. A large Star of David enclosed by three circles appears below. The upper flap inside reads: "Just because the light stopped shining, doesn't mean we're stuck in darkness. The moon comes out, but the sun still comes up every day.
Document with reflections, sheet music, and song lyrics, 9 pages.
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "Our prayers and sadness are with 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.
Oral history of Meryl Ainsman, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Handwritten card in pencil on paper. The front cover features a Star of David in the center and reads in Hebrew: "L'chaim" (to life). The inside reads: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you love, Mimi [last name redacted]." A Menorah appears in the center.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Charles [last name redacted] and Abbi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Love, light, and perseverance. Charles [last name redacted] and Abbi [last name redacted]." The message is printed on a tag from a local florist.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "I'm sending you love during this most difficult time. I'm praying for you all. God loves us all and I hope you all will feel his amazing love during this trying time. My heart hurts at this time for you all. I love you! Pam."
Summary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report on President Donald Trump's announcement of plans to visit Pittsburgh following the October 27 attack. Includes statements and comments from the president regarding various aspects of the attack.
Magazine cutting with sparrow sitting on a tree branch on the front cover with the stock quote "dreamy, melancholic variations." Printed poem below and above the quote. Tear marks on the upper edge. Image of three women in long peasant skirts standing on a wooden floor around an illuminated candle.
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: "God be with you!!! We are thinking about you and keeping you in our hearts. [Heart symbol]." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Two heart-shaped cut-outs on red paper with an orange rubber band running through a hole punch. The inner flaps contain a handwritten message to the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. Cecilia [last name redacted], the author of this card, acknowledges that while she did not know the victims personally, they will forever remain loved in her heart. 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 reads: "To the Tree of Life Community, We are praying for you in San Diego and sending you blessings through this difficult time. God is with you and holding your members who passed in His loving hand. May His light fill your hearts during these dark times and remind you of His love even through the things we cannot explain. Bless you, Gresham." An illustration of a tree filled with hearts appears below.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "May GOD grant you ALL the grace and mercy our human family can minister and let your faith be a reflection of GOD's LOVE for all of us."
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.