
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
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.
Folded card on brown paper. Two circular stamped imprints visible in the center of both the right and left flaps. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Handwritten card in red marker on paper. The card reads: "We are so sorry. We love you. Owen and Lily." Two stick figures appear below.
White and purple envelope with handwritten inscription in blue ink addressed: "To: The family of Tree of Life." The location of the sender's home, Norfolk, Virginia, is inscribed in the lower left corner. The upper flap on the envelope's reverse is inscribed with the following note: "We are so broken hearted for your loss." Staining and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card with a peacock on the front cover. The card reads: "A Catholic who loves all Jewish people! A friend, a neighbor, she loves you."
Card with photograph of flower. Handwritten text on front of envelope reads, "To: Tree of Life in sympathy and solidarity" and back of enveloped reads, "Won't you be my neighbor? Mr. Rogers." Handwritten interior of card expresses love for the Pittsburgh Jewish community and evokes Mr. Roger's: "We are called upon to remember the spirit of Mr. Rogers and love each and every one of our neighbors who make our community so wonderful."
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. The front cover reads: "Hugs" with asterisks on either side. The inside (from right to left) reads: "Sending you messages of hope, love, and comfort from Washington D.C. Love, Alex. May God be with you and your families."
13-page program. Black text on blue paper. Contains selection of readings and prayers as part of a "Sabbath of Learning" service.
Clear glass vase containing a variety of blue, purple, and white synthetic flowers. Flowers nestled in wired silver tinsel. Bottom half rusting and discolored from moisture exposure.
Handwritten card in red marker, addressed broadly to tvarious groups impacted by the October 27 attack, including the congregation, the victims and their families, witnesses, police, and first responders. Signed by several families [last names redacted]. The front cover features a reproduction of an eighteenth century engraving of a white heron in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "Stronger than hate." Illustrated with a peace symbol. Color bleeding and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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 "Bernice 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.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "I miss Bubbie."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "We love [heart] Tree of Life." Staining and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Folded card with repeating diagonal plaid pattern in green and dark blue marker on yellow paper. The inside contains the following words in a cloud-shaped bubble with emanating light rays: "I am sorry for what happened. It will be ok. [Heart]." A Star of David surrounded by tiny dots appears in the upper left corner.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "To my brothers and sisters: I can't begin to tell you how sorry I feel that the actions of one person this past week affected the Jewish families in our [?] country... Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you. I know that God will us. I love you always."
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. The inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life, I'm sorry for your loss. Hope everything goes well. From Bella [last name redacted]."
Print with various birds resting on the branches of a flowering tree folded in half to create an improvised card. The inside contains a handwritten sympathy note written in blue ink from a member of the autism community in Monroeville, Pa.
Card on red paper from three students [last names redacted] at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn, Ny. The upper flap inside is illustrated with a large heart, surrounded by smaller hearts, and two Stars of David. A sun appears on the left, labelled with the quote: "after the rain, the sun shall shine through." The card ends: "GET WELL SOON! [Star of David]."
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.