The Collection

The October 27 Archive currently contains 1476 objects and is regularly being expanded with more material. The archive includes flyers and programs from community gatherings held since the October 27 attack, a comprehensive collection of news coverage about the day of the event, oral history recordings reflecting a diverse array of experiences, and historical documentation about the Jewish experience in Western Pennsylvania.

Using this archive

You can view all the materials currently included in the archive using the browser below. Each object has been described and cataloged to help you discover materials, learn about these materials, understand the context in which these materials were created, and draw connections between different materials. You can refine the browsing experience using various filters, including creator, type, and subject. Some of these filters have already been used to create preset galleries, each organized around specific aspects of the archive. You can also look for specific words and phrase found in the archive using a keyword search.

 

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (10)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. On the left side, the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I will take upon myself to stay in shul (synagogue) at least for 3 aliyas (sections Torah reading where a congregant is called up to the reading podium). On the right side, the card contains cartoonish illustrations of a building and several figures. The acronym "B"SD" (with the help of heaven) appears on the upper right.

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Gifts

"Etz Chaim" card

Envelope with the Hebrew words "Etz Chaim" (Tree of Life) written in the center. The card features a large white dover on a blue background. It is addressed: "Beloved Mishpacha (family)." The note inside articulates the senders' pilgrimage to place a stone at the memorial which developed outside of the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of the October 27 attack. Leaving a stone at graveside is a common Jewish mourning ritual. The letter concludes with a biblical quote from Job 14:7-9.
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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (02)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. Front cover reads: "From: Menachem [last name redacted] To: Jewish Community of Pittsburgh." Inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live). Passed away: 11, Injured: 2 Yidden (Jews) + 2 policemen=4. Illustrated below there is a wagon holding the shooter, who says in a word bubble: "I just wanted to kill Jews." A man with a hat, perhaps a police officer, is seated on the right.

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (06)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover reads: "To: The Jewish community of Pittsburgh. From: Zalman [last redacted] Chicago, Il." The inside reads: "I take upon myself to have more kavane (intention; emotional devotion) when I daven (pray). Moshiach (the Messiah) should come now and their should only be simchas (joyous occassions)." The message is accompanied by an illustration of a building with a set of stairs leading to a door with a crenellated roof. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.

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Gifts

Magen David Yeshivah High School card (2)

Card from three students [last names redacted] at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn, Ny. Front cover features an illustration of a house with a large rain cloud behind it; the rain falls on a small stick figure holding a heart below. The cover is addressed to the families of Pittsburgh. The upper flap inside features a pink heart in the center with rain clouds and raindrops on the left, a shining sun on the lower right, and a smiling face with symbols tumbling out in a diagonal ray.