
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To Tree of Life Synagogue members, My prayers are with you in Pittsburgh. I know I do not begin to know the pain and grief that is so raw for each of you- but God knows and cares. May you feel the love and concern and care of our church in San Diego. In Him, Rita [last name redacted]."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover features a large Star of David and contains the following quote attributed to Albert Einstein: "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am sorry for your loss, and violence. I am a student from all the way from Denver, Colorado. So from all of us from Colorado we give you good wishes. Sincerely, Will [last name redacted]."
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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life members, You have all been in my heart and prayers this past week. It is impossible to imagine what you all must have experienced, but I would hope that your faith and strong community would be very healing at this time. I am so impressed with the response of your congregation- to just keep going, as the Jewish people have done for thousands of years throughout history.
Rectangular card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. Front reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life, I'm from Japan and I am writing this letter because on extremely sad news about Jewish people came up yesterday. I'm feeling awfully sorry for Jewish people. I've been learning about 3 monotheistic re[li]gions from last month, so it also made me feel that I have connection with every single Jewish person.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "I think this means when there is hate and sorrow be the one who makes happiness and kindness into the world. Simon [last name redacted]."
Handwritten note in marker on paper. The note contains a quote from Job 14:7, reading: "At least there is HOPE FOR A TREE if it is cut down, it will sprout again, [its] new shoots will not fail."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of a haloed dove flying in front of Noah's ark. Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the message in this card has been partially erased. The remaining text reads: "[?] of Life members... praying for you. Sorry for you[r] loss. [G]od bless you! Love and prayers, Holy Angels CCD." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Document with reflections, sheet music, and song lyrics, 9 pages.
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.
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: "May your tree keep growing, members of the Tree of Life Synagogue. From: Connor, Grade 7, Holy Angels CCD." The handwritten message is accompanied by an illustrated tree.
Printed note in black ink on white paper. The note reads, in capital letters: "Your Christian brothers and sisters are praying with you." Tearing and creasing 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: "Dearest brothers and sisters of faith, Words cannot express the sadness and rage we feel in what has happened in your community. May God grant you His peace- as only [underlined] He [underlined] can do and know our love and prayers are with you. In love, Jolene and Dave [last name redacted] Point Loma Pres- San Diego, Ca."
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.
Glass jar containing nine miniature Israeli and American flags.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black ink. The message reads: "The strength of your Jewish community is inspiring. From NYC to Pittsburgh, we love you." Color bleeding 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: "My prayers are with you all at the Tree of Life synagogue. May our God ease your sorrow. Know that He is with you. May God bless you all. Eloise."
Tri-fold pamphlet with typed text. Cover includes logos for Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, Ceasefire PA, and Bed the Arc: Jewish Action Pittsburgh. Interior provides statistics about gun violence, information about legislative priorities, and calls for action. Back cover features photograph of Pittsburgh skyline.
Zine page with bubble letters and information about the emotional value of hugs. Zine page with cartoons illustrating the emotional value of hugs, including a superhero, labeled "Hugs to the Rescue" and a young couple.
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.