
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
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]."
Single sheet folded in half. Contains photocopy of two pages from the "Readings: Prelude to Kaddish" section of the Kol Haneshamah Shabbat Vehagim prayerbook. One side contains the poem "Each Of Us Has a Name" in English and Hebrew. Other side contains "In Many Houses" by Diane Cole and "To open eyes when others close them" by Emmanuel Eydoux.
Handwritten letter written in black ink on lined notebook paper from Michelle. Michelle is a lifelong Pittsburgher whose mother worked in Squirrel Hill when Sophie Masloff, Pittsburgh's first Jewish and female mayor, was in office. Michelle recalls her mother's pride in serving Masloff. Michelle notes that she is a student at the University of Pittsburgh and currently lives in Squirrel Hill. She apologizes for being "neglectful" of her ties with the Jewish community. She wrote this letter to extend "my very friendly hello" and to communicate her solidarity.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Please accept our heartfelt condolences in the loss of your beloved congregation members, from our congregation at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, CA. In LA, I grew up living next to a Rabbi (Marvin Bornstein) and his dear family. He was familiar with loss as well, having left medical school in Vienna at the onset of WW II. I learned from his example of love, tolerance and peace.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black and red marker. The message reads: "If you mess with us. You mess with the entire world." Signed with a heart, colored in red and outlined in black.
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report on claim by the Anti-Defamation League that the October 27 attack was 'likely the deadliest' antisemitic incident in American history. Includes a statement from ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black ink. The message reads: "Sending love, support, and solidarity." Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Nine page packet of typed text. First page includes a photograph looking down at a table with plates of food. Second page includes a photograph of lit candles. Packet provides a guide for conducting a Shabbat service in the aftermath of recent antisemitic and racist attacks. Includes instructions, readings, group exercises, and citations.
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report interviewing Squirrel Hill residents and local religious leaders about the October 27 attack. Includes comments from Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
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.
Handwritten condolence note written in black marker on yellow paper addressed to the congregants of the Tree of Life synagogue.
Copy of the original charter of Tree of Life Congregation. Four-page typescript document with handwritten annotations. Describes purposes of the congregation and names charter members.
Handwritten card written in pencil, blue and purple crayon, on paper. The note is from a seven year old child [name is illegible]. The note reads: "We won't forget how you spread kindness so we will do the same to the world. Be kind all around." An illustration of a globe appears below. Spelling errors corrected for clarity. Staining and tearing 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." The inside reads: "Just because life is hard now...does not mean it will be forever challenging. Love in stronger than HATE. You just have to strong. We are praying. -Tree of Life members and all Jewish people. - From: Reena Weber and Holy Angels CCD, 8th grade." Illustrated with two small hearts.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "You are not alone. [Heart]."
Post-it note with handwritten message with blue marker. The message reads: "Stronger Than Hate!" Illustrated with a heart and signed: "TR."
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.