
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a bird holding a leaf in its mouth with geometric and floral 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: "Just because life is hard now...does not mean it will be forever challenging. Love in stronger than HATE. You just have to strong. We are praying. -Tree of Life members and all Jewish people. - From: Reena Weber and Holy Angels CCD, 8th grade." Illustrated with two small hearts.
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "All of New York City feels your pain."
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.
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 "Sylvan Simon." 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.
Full sheet flyer includes image of the top half of a mans face and typed text. Text describes Lest We Forget installation.
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 affirms God's support and contains prayers for the families and community. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Basket of synthetic flowers with pink bow. Basket and bow have water damage.
Card addressed to David Rosenthal, written using personal details from various public sources.
Handwritten letter written in black ink on lined notebook paper from a Jewish resident of Riverdale, Ny. Addressed to Congregation Tree of Life, the Squirrel Hill community, Pittsburgh, and everyone grieving from the October 27 attack.
Handwritten card from "Laura" of Monroeville, Pa., expressing solidarity with the Jewish community. Writer identifies as "resident of Monroeville," "Gateway Gator," "breast cancer survivor," and "practicing Catholic."
Handwritten card in blue, green, red, and orange marker on paper. The front of the card reads: "Thank you for helping [our] community and keeping us safe. Love, [illegible]." Two flowers, above grass, appear to the right. The inside, written in two hands, reads: "Thank you very m[uch]" and "and thank you for being...in..." Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Black and white photograph of the 1901 confirmation class of Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. Shows four girls and three boys in formal wear.
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
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I will daven for you and give extra tzadakah (charity) and nothing else should happen like what just happened and when moshiach (the Messiah) comes [?] and Hashem will do t'chiyat hameitim (resurrect the dead). The rest of your life should be successful. From so and so... which." The acronym "BS"D" (with the help of heaven), a common header in traditional Jewish letter-writing, appears in the upper left corner.
Turquoise envelope with handwritten inscription in black ink addressed: "To the Tree of Life." Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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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