
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
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.
Miniature Israeli flag attached to a flat stick. Stick features logo of the Eagles' Wings organization. Hand-drawn in red on stick is a heart and handwritten note reading, "We Christians love the Jews." Rosary with a Miraculous Medal wrapped around stick.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "I was not here, but I live nearby. Had I been home I could have grabbed my baseball bat, and gone after Bowers."
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by the Waltons. The tag reads: "Rest in Peace- with love from your old neighbors, The Waltons." The note is handwritten in black ink on a printed tag with blue hydrangeas on the left edge.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by L.F., which reads: "To my Hebrew family- I'm so sorry for your loss. There are no words. But the strength that you have shown is what we need. Stay strong. We are all here with you. L.F. [heart]." The message is written in black ink on a printed tag; a Star of David appears in the upper left corner.
Color photograph showing 13 people standing on either side of two Torah scrolls. Many of the men are wearing prayer shawls.
Typed Hebrew letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. Translated into English, the letter reads: "Dear Rabbi from the Tree of Life Congregation, My name is Hannah [last name redacted]. I am a student at Hebrew Academy of Montreal. I am truly sorry about what happened to your holy synagogue. I hope that this will not happen again. I give [?] all your family and loved ones of your synagogue."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "You are loved. You are stronger than hate. Love and more love."
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.
19-paged saddle-stitched booklet. Includes note from current president, explaination of Reconstructionist Judaism, and history of Congregation Dor Hadash with reproduction of archival materials, Typed half-page booklet printed in color and staple-bound.
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: "We are sending you so much love- and will stand with you in peace forever- with you in peace. Steve and Bailey."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Our hearts, our minds, our love is with you. We weep with you in this time of deep grief and our thoughts and prayers flow to you and to your entire community. May love and light always prevail, even in these times of unfathomable acts and in the face of overwhelming grief- may we raise ourselves back into the light together. Our hearts are with you. June."
Eight-page booklet printed on off-white paper. Program provides order of memorial service, lists names of deceased congregants by family, and lists names of congregational officers.
Oral history of Kathy Blee, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
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.
Typed text on yellow paper, four pages. Includes introductory article from Rabbi Aaron Bisno and details about upcoming congregational events.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue- My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of 11 of your friends, family, and members. The members of my church, Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California have been praying for your congregation. We hope and pray that over time your hearts will heal and peace will enter to fill the void left by the 11. El."
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.
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "Baruch [redacted]. To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I'm so sorry about what happened. I am going to bring and wash my hands in the morning in honor of all those people who passed away." A smiley face with a yarmulke (skullcap) with Hebrew letters appears below. The Hebrew acronym "B"H" (Bless God/Thank God) appears in the upper right. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
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.
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