
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "Keep Going" surrounded by arrows, stars, and leaves. A handwritten note appears below. The back contains an additional handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
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.
Handwritten card in colored pencil on paper. The card features a large tree resting on grass in the lower center and reads: "We're thinking of you Tree of Life." It is signed: "[Lov]e Shayna and West Orange, NJ."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends at Tree of Life Synagogue, My heart hurts and aches for the tragedy and violence you have seen. I have thought about it many times as I sit in my own church with family and friends. May God wake with you always, ALL ways, may His breath be in yours, may you heal and grow together from this horrible loss. With much love, Katie [last name redacted] from PLCPC.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "May God comfort you today and in the days ahead. I will keep you all in thought and prayer. [?] from Pt Loma P.C."
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 sender added four colored rectangles inscribed with the following messages: "Mandy [last name redacted] LOVE everyone" and "Shine Bright with Love." The inside reads: "Wishing you a very peaceful life with people who love and care about your loss. Have a happy holiday(s)! From: Mandy [last name redacted]. To: You."
Folded card on white paper. Extensive dirt staining. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "With Love from our Family to Yours [heart]." The note is written in black marker on rectangular piece of wrapping paper with brown and red stripes.
Typed text on yellow paper, four pages. Includes introductory article from Rabbi Aaron Bisno and details about upcoming congregational events.
Oral history with Kathryn Fleisher recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
Handwritten letter in crayon from the [last name redacted] family. Rolled into a scroll and tied with a rainbow called string. The letter features a quote, beginning with the question: "Did I offer peace today," from the Dutch-Catholic priest, Henri Nouwen.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "We will never forget. Love conquers Hate [heart]."
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: "LOVE." The inside reads: "Remembering all of you and sending prayers and healing thoughts from St. Peter's Parish in Londonderry NH. Love, Sandi [heart]."
Notecard with a large heart illustrated in red crayon. Signed: Shani [last name redacted], Philadelphia."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Love is awesome." Tape affixed to the upper edge.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black ink. The message reads: "Am Yisrael Chai!" Translated into English, this means: "The People of Israel live!" Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The note is written in Hebrew. Translated into English, it reads: "Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!"
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To Tree of Life Synagogue members, My prayers are with you in Pittsburgh. I know I do not begin to know the pain and grief that is so raw for each of you- but God knows and cares. May you feel the love and concern and care of our church in San Diego. In Him, Rita [last name redacted]."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside reads: "You are God's chosen people. He loves you so much and so do we. We pray that love wins in your synagogue every day. God bless, The Church at Severn Run." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
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.