
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Black and white photograph showing the original section of the Tree of Life synagogue located at the corner of Wilkins Avenue and Shady Avenue in Squirrel Hill.
Handwritten note written in blue ink on lined paper. Addressed to the victims of the October 27 attack and their families. The note is signed by Natasha and reads: "I love you. I'm so sorry this happened to you." Staining and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother In Memory of our Brother SYLVAN SIMON 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.
Folded card with marker illustrations. Cover reads "Best Wishes." Interior features illustration of smiling sun over water and words "Best Wishes" and name "Harper [last name redacted for privacy]."
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "To never be silent at the arms of our oppressors."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, May God give you strength and courage to overcome this tragedy and bring even more conviction and purpose to the Tree of Life congregation. [First name illegible, last name redacted]."
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.
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. It is signed: "[S]ean [last name redacted] Holy Angels CCD Grade 5." Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the message in this card has been partially erased. The remaining text inside reads: "[D]ear Tree of Life Members, I am very sorry of what happened... that peace is comforting everyone...tragedy in synagogue. P.S. Peace be with you.
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 contains an illustrated tree surrounded by hearts. The tree is labeled "Tree of Life" on the branches and "Synagogue" below. The card reads: "Tree of Life, I am so sorry for your loss. We will pray and keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to pray for you at the nights come. Have a great day! Love, Natalie T. Holy Angels CCD, 6th grade."
Folded card on light blue paper. The inside features an illustration of a young girl wearing a Star of David t-shirt. The girl is outlined with various scribble scrabble lines in black pen. Smudges of a rainbow appear on upper left side. The front cover features a Star of David outlined in black marker and shaded in purple. Smudging, color bleeding, and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Black and white sticker with the word "LOVE" in large capital letters.
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: "May you find peace in God's love; and be able to go forward and heal in his Glory. Ann [last name redacted] St. Peters Episcopal Church Londonderry, NH."
Handwritten note in black marker on white paper. The note reads: "We are with you. We are all Pittsburghers. HATE WILL NEVER WIN." Tearing and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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.
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,
Print outs with English and Hebrew lyrics from popular Jewish and Israeli artists and poets, including Hannah Szenes (Senesh), Arik Einstein, Matisyahu, and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. A handwritten note in blue ink reading "May your memory be eternal" appears on the second page.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "May the lord Be with you!" The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white and purple flecked flowers.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4 and reads: "Dear Tree of Life Members, We send our love and sympathy to you. We stand by you and all your global family for life. You are our brothers and sisters cherished our heritage through your and our future promises with you. With prayers and love, Rev. Dr. Larry [last name redacted]."
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.