
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Black and white photograph showing two young women standing before the iron gates of a synagogue. Label taped onto photograph reads, "Bess & Rose Velgich in front of Oir Chodosh 1945." Original photograph has pinked edges and dried tape.
Black and white sticker with the word "LOVE" in large capital letters.
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother DANIEL STEIN z''l -- To his family and community we pray Tanuchamo min hashamayim. May God in Heaven comfort you. The Principals, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Students of Magen David Yeshivah. Brooklyn, NY." Part of a series of 11 flags, each dedicated to one of the victims. Additional photograph shows the entire set of 11.
Printed card with the seven biblical laws of Noah. Each law is printed in the respective colors of the rainbow. Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The envelope features an illustrated heart. The front cover reads: "Peace" and features a sandy landscape with a blue sky and orange flowers. The inside reads: "I pray you will find love and peace in the everyday actions of people who care for you. We send so much love to you from Londonderry, New Hampshire and beyond. Love and peace, Erin [last name redacted]."
Handwritten note written in black, pink, and red marker on the back of page from a Staples calendar. The note contains quotes from Ecclesiastes and the South African Jewish philosopher, David Benatar. The quotes articulate the philosophical perspective, championed by Benatar, that procreation is not ethical.
Summary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editor David Shribman shares his personal account of learning about the attack and describes the scene in Squirrel Hill.
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "Our prayers and sadness are with you on this tragic day." Signed by the Yu, Kaufmann, and Bernstein families. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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." Signed: "Tommy" lower center. The inside reads: "To the Tree of Life Synagogue member, We the members of the Holy Angels Church are thinking about you everyday and we hope that you are safe." Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the ink on this card has partially lifted.
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 blue paper with various taped cutouts. Front cover contains a white heart-shaped cutout. Inside features cutouts in the shape of a house, sun, and blue sky. The sun's rays are illustrated in colored pencil.
Wreath woven from branches, synthetic greenery, and pink and white synthetic flowers.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black and red marker. The message reads: "Always in our heart."
Sepia-tone photograph showing large group of people in a banquet hall decorated with streamers, Stars of David, and American flags. Text at bottom reads "The 25th Anniversary banquet of the Congregation 'Oher Chodosh Anshe Romanian' February 26, 1928 Pittsburgh Pa." Original photograph is creased in several places and missing one corner.
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.
Summary: KDKA-TV breaking news report on the October 27 attack. Includes updates throughout the day with more info about the shooting and responses from public officials
Folded card with crayon and marker illustration. Cover features smiley face. Interior features illustration of heart and of rising sun. Text reads, "Things do get better. We are so sorry for your loss and all the pain you've endured in recent days. Sending our best wishes and love for healing and peace in the days ahead. Beth [last name redacted for privacy] of Beth Chai Congregation in Maryland.
Prayer card with reproduction of "The Miraculous Icon" depicting the Virgin and Child. According to the text on the front cover, this prayer card was blessed at mass with holy water and incense. The inside features various recommended prayers for healing and petitions.
Folded card with marker and colored pencil inscriptions. Cover reads: "Do not cry :-) That is sad." Inside reads: "I am very sad about the bad things that happened to you. I hope this never happens again. Luke [last name redacted for privacy]" and features stylized illustration of two stick figures, representing the writer "me" and the recipients "you guys" holding hands.
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.