
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends, we share deeply in your sorrow. Our prayers continue; please feel the strength and love that we send to each of you. With love and prayers, Cynthia [last name redacted]."
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article putting the October 27 attack in the context of other recent gun crimes and hate crimes, including at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. and the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Card addressed to David Rosenthal, written using personal details from various public sources.
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 "-Jenna [last name redacted]" in the lower right corner. The inside contains several messages, including: "We love [heart symbol] you... Get well soon!!!!... Get well soon... I'm praying for you...hope you get better...we hope you heal fast...get well soon.
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.
Plastic Ziploc bag with multicolored blue, red, and yellow ribbons tied into a bow on the upper right corner. Staining and dirt due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Single page with typed text. Text lists order of Friday evening service, including page numbers and readings with instructions for cantor.
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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "I pray for you with all my heart. May God's healing love rain down on you. Love, Mary."
Hardwritten card in blue pen on white paper, offering condolences following the October 27 attack.
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report with link to Facebook Live video from a press conference where public officials provide updates about the October 27 attack.
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustration in black marker. The note is signed: "[heart] Dorothy" and features two abstract circle and oval shaped illustrations.
Oral history of Wally Caplan, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Pages of typed text with illustrations. Includes test of newly written prayer for New Community Chevra Kadisha members, verses include Psalm 121:1 and Hosea 14:7, Talmudic citation from Rabbi Akiva (Mishna Yoma 8:9), prayer for guests of the New Community Chevra Kadisha, the Priestly Blessing, and a translation of Tefilat Haderech (The Traveler's Prayer") by Debbie Friedman
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 letter written in green ink on white coloring paper, folded in half, from Lizzie, age twenty. Addressed to Lizzie's community in Pittsburgh. Lizzie explains her impulse to write this letter: "I'm not sure how to put this in words, but I do know that I have the urge to send something." Lizzie identifies herself as Jewish in her card. Tearing in upper center may be due to exposure to the elements sustained at the Wilkins memorial.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover reads, "You are great the way you are and nothing can stop that no matter what." Interior reads, "I hope you guys feel better. This card is for you and I hope it makes you guys feel better. You guys should be treated the way you are no matter what. Don't let people hurt you. You are stronger than them" and the name "Howard [last name redacted for privacy]." Back cover reads "I wish you the best of luck" with smiling heart.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "Share the Love! Free Bouquets!"
Black and white photograph showing six men sitting on construction equipment in front of building. Label taped onto photograph reads, "Spring 1970: Jules Karpas, Sam Feldman, Bill Weiss, Elkin Avner (designed new sanctuary), Rabbi Pinchus Miller, Pres. Nate Landy."
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. Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the message in this card has been partially erased. The remaining text inside reads: "...for your loss...[f]or you...Devon from CCD Hol[y] Ange[ls]...[mem]bers of the Tree of life."
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.