The Archive | October 27 Archive

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.

View the collection

Photograph showing selection of archival materials

Showing 198 results for
2018x

Adat Shalom thank you poster

Poster with collage of photographs showing scenes of interfaith support and a quotation of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

2023_53_29 (1).jpg

Butterflies and Windchime

Clear glass mason jar containing paper butterflies on sticks, rhinestone star wand, and windchime in the form of an angel with message reading "be at peace."

"May Your Memories Bring You Comfort" card

Card addressed to Rabbi Jeffrey Myers and Tree of Life synagogue from members of an extended family living in Massillon, Oh. (two hour drive from Pittsburgh), as well as Portland, Or., Vancouver, Canada, and San Antonio, Tx. The senders extend their heartfelt sympathies to Rabbi Myers and the entire Tree of Life family. They appended a note on the back flap of the envelope specifying that they brought a stone from the Sea of Galilee.

2023_53_35 (1).jpg

Preserved Rose

Natural red rose preserved in plastic box.

"Shalom" card

Card with the Hebrew word "Shalom" (Peace) on the front cover. The letter inside is dated Dec. 2018 and was written by members of a family from Madison, Wi., who were driving to New Jersey to visit relatives for the holidays. While enroute, they stopped in Pittsburgh and dropped off this card, along with a bouquet of flowers, which they hoped would bring joy to a family, perhaps a child.

Active member of Dor Hadash congregation ID'd by brother as victim of Squirrel Hill shooting

Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report identifying one of the Tree of Life survivors as Daniel Leger, a member of Congregation Dor Hadash.

Laurel and Louie notecard

Note from Laurie and Louie, a couple from Annapolis, Md. dated 11/5/18.

Randi notecard

Note from Randi dated 11/10/18. Randi thanks the community for "teaching my husband all he knows." An illustration of a tree appears on the back of the card with words of support to the Tree of Life synagogue written on the tree trunk.

Flowers and butterfly card

Card addressed to the Tree of Life congregation. The front cover features an illustration of flowers and a butterfly in the upper center. The inside is dated 11/2/18 and conveys the senders wish that the memories of the victims be for a blessing and their solidarity with the Tree of Life congregation.

Coping with Tragedy flyer

Single page flyer. Backdrop features color photograph of lit tealight candles. Text lists title, date, time, and location of event, biography of speaker, and a list of sponsoring organizations. Footer includes logo for the Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future Speakers Bureau.

Photos: A day of tragedy and horror in Squirrel Hill

Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photo gallery showing scenes from Squirrel Hill on the day of the October 27 attack.

"The Children of Willesden Lane" program

Folded cardstock program for "Mona Golabek in The Children of Willesden Lane: A Tale of Music, Hope and Survival." Cover features image of a girl with a suitcase on a dark red background. Interior pages lists speakers and performances, describes the production, and provides background information about Mona Golabeck, Kristallnacht, and the Kindertransport. Back page describes the missions of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, Classrooms Without Borders (Pittsburgh, Pa.), and the Pittsburgh Willesden Lane Read, and includes a memorial to the victims of the October 27 attack.

Chatham University Multifaith Memorial Service & Vigil program

Cardstock program with typed text on front and back. Creased down the middle. Program includes itinerary, directions for a vigil walk and a wreath laying ceremony, and Hebrew and English lyrics for two Jewish songs: "Olam Hesed Yibaneh" and "Oseh Shalom Bimromav."

Card with snowy landscape

Card with illustration of snowy landscape on the front cover. The note is written on a separate piece of paper, which has an illustration on the back of a duck floating on water. Note has been folded to fit inside the card. The sender, Lucy [last name redacted], writes that she is in her childhood neighborhood (Squirrel Hill) for the first time in years, explaining: "I just wanted to take the chance to say in person how much my thoughts and the thoughts of everyone I know have been with you."

Heart of Pittsburgh's Jewish community mourns victims of mass shooting

Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review profile of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood and its response to the October 27 attack. Includes interviews with local residents and businesses-owners.

"This is terrible" card

Card with embossed design created by the American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright on the front cover. The letter inside is dated 10-29-18 and reads: "This is terrible. Clive, Chris and Nick [last name redacted]." Fallingwater, one of Wright's most famous buildings, is located about an hour's drive from Pittsburgh.

Beth Israel Congregation (Washington, Pa.) memorial service program

Program for a memorial service at Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pa. Shows an illustration of the synagogue and lists speakers for the evening.

2023_53_39_a (1).jpg

New York State memorial flag (Bernice Simon)

Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Sister BERNICE SIMON z''l -- To his family and community we pray Tanuchamo min hashamayim. May God in Heaven comfort you. The Principals, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Students of Magen David Yeshivah. Brooklyn, NY." Part of a series of 11 flags, each dedicated to one of the victims. Additional photograph shows the entire set of 11.

Bethany [redacted] to Irving Younger card

Card with handwritten note to Irving Younger. The envelope reads: "In Loving Memory of Irv Younger. From a friend." The front cover features a photograph of a mother bird with two chicks. The inside contains a heartfelt message to Irving Younger, one of the victims of the October 27 attack.

"Members of Tree of Life" floral tag

Floral tag from floral arrangement addressed to the members of the Tree of Life synagogue. The note is printed on a tag with a beige background from a local florist; tearing in the center right due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.