
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. The front cover contains a bilingual Hebrew and English message: "Haverim (friends) in Pittsburgh" with a Star of David below. The inside (from right to left) reads: "Sending love, solidarity, and hope. Our community is the strongest in the world! -Sam, GWU student, Colorado Springs, CO, Temple Beth Torah."
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "Doubt is not the opposite of faith, fear is [underlined] let us not fear."
Handwritten note written on lined notebook paper reading: "Filled with grief- Prayers for peace and justice."
Typed bilingual Hebrew and English letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. In English, the letter reads: "Dear Rabbi, I am very sorry for what happened in your shul. I hope everyone that got injured will heal quickly. I hope that it will never happen again. Sincerely, Max [last name redacted] From Hebrew Academy."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front of the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live)." The inside reads: "I have [heard] about the terrible news that happened and I feel very very bad for you. I hope moshiach (the Messiah) should come now so we could join with them now!!!" Multiple stars of David and smiley faces are integrated into the text of this card. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Handwritten note written in yellow marker on a printed paper with a framed picture with leaves around the edges. The note is written inside the leaf frame and reads: "Eleven beautiful leaves for eleven beautiful sweet souls ripped away... Six strong trees for the six injured but here to stay. Hated can't weaken a city of steel."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The cover of the card features the following quote: "For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness." Inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey, I am terribly sorry about the antisemitic attack. It infuriates me that someone could do that. Sincerely, Colton [last name redacted]."
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: "We [a]re with you. We love you. We care about you." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Program for a memorial service at Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pa. Shows an illustration of the synagogue and lists speakers for the evening.
Silver box with metallic polka dot lining used to hold the cards sent by students at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. A handmade card with a tree at the center glued to a green ribbon is tied with a bow in the center. The tree trunk is adorned with a banner, reading: "Please take what you need" and is signed: "West Allegheny Middle School" with a heart.
White posterboard with a gold shield in the center. A Canadian flag and and inscription appear above the shield; additional inscription upper center; signatures throughout. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Oral history with Gemma Del Duca recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover features illustration of tree with ladder. Interior reads, "We are with you at this sorrowful time. The Beth Chai Congregation of Greater Washington." Back cover reads "I hope you feel better. P.S. We will donate $ to you" with two five-pointed stars.
44-page program booklet. Cover features close up portrait of a woman's face covers by handwritten text and with purple accents. Interior includes typed text describing Yom Hashoah program as well as upcoming events from the Holocaust Center,
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: "We are one. We will get through this together. You are not alone. [Heart]." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "We love you. Love, Sophie."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "I just want to send God's loving grace to you and your family to help you heal from the terrible act from a lost soul. We pray for you and everyone touched by this action. God Bless."
Card addressed to Melvin Wax. Cover features a reproduction of a painting by Frank Crosby, a resident of the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh. The inside contains messages of love and support written by other members of the Emmaus Community.
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.
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.