The Rauh Jewish Archives has received a major federal grant to preserve
the thousands of letters and memorial objects created as gestures of hope and healing in the months since the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue building on Oct. 27, 2018. The grant from the federal Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) will allow the archive to develop
a website showcasing the many gestures of hope and healing created since the attack.
An essential component of the project will be collaborating closely with many different stakeholders throughout the community to ensure that this work proceeds with care and sensitivity. The website will be a living entity, growing over time as new materials become appropriate for public viewing.
In recent decades, memorial objects such as these have become an essential component of the communal grieving process following public tragedies. This grant is believed to be the first time that federal AEAP funds have been directed toward an archival project involving such memorial objects.
"These beautiful objects are a remarkable record of the many ways people all over the world responded to that terrible act on October 27, 2018. These objects are filled with humanity—grief, love, heartache, friendship, pain, and hope. We are so grateful for the opportunity to preserve and share these objects, and we hope that this project will help people in their ongoing effort to heal," said Rauh Jewish Archives Director Eric Lidji.
To contribute materials to the archive, visit our
online portal
.