
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Oral history with Jess Gold recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
Handwritten floral tag taped to a square piece of clear cellophane. The tag reads: "11 beautiful roses for the 11 beautiful souls lost." Signed with a heart.
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."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. Front cover reads: "From: Menachem [last name redacted] To: Jewish Community of Pittsburgh." Inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live). Passed away: 11, Injured: 2 Yidden (Jews) + 2 policemen=4. Illustrated below there is a wagon holding the shooter, who says in a word bubble: "I just wanted to kill Jews." A man with a hat, perhaps a police officer, is seated on the right.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "What happened here will not be forgotten." Signed with a Star of David.
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,
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Love not hate." Tape affixed on the bottom edge. Tearing and creasing 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 is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside reads: The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope. "Our hearts are burdened by what happened in Pittsburgh. We know that we serve the same G-d and the G-d of the Old and New Testaments does not call us to violence each other. We pray for healing in Pittsburgh, in synagogues throughout America and for love from all churches.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "From Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, San Diego. Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue, Our hearts ache for your loss and we pray that God will give you peace and hope. We also pray that as a nation and as people of God, we can overcome this senseless hatred. We love you, Judy [last name redacted]."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "Be Strong" and other floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love always triumphs over hate." 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: "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!
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]."
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by the Brown family. The tag reads: "Pittsburgh Strong. We grieve with you. There are no words. Thank you for standing for love. Thank you for fulfilling Exodus 22:21." Note handwritten in blue ink on a printed tag featuring a white rose on the left.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a bird with a leaf in its mouth and floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a pineapple with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, a "Stronger Together" sticker, and the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Post-it note with handwritten message in pink marker. The message reads: "Our hearts cry with yours for shalom." Signed with a heart, cross, and Star of David.
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.
Envelope addressed to Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life. Front cover of the enclosed Hallmark card features floral imagery and says "Thinking of You." Inside reads: "My only connection to each of you is that of a fellow caring, loving human spirit that has the incredible gift of being able to learn and exist with all other living beings on this Earth. Even though that is my only tie to each of you, it is strong enough to share in your sadness and loss..." Continues on the back: "As a community and as a fellow human. May love always conquer hat and fear.
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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