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.
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.
Western Pennsylvanians share their life stories and reflect on the impact of an antisemitic attack in a beloved Jewish neighborhood.
Documentation of the October 27 attack as it was unfolding, told through news articles and oral histories.
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "No hate. Just love." A heart appears below. Signed: "Columbus, OH."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a pineapple with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as a sticker with the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
44-page program booklet. Cover features close up portrait of a woman's face covers by handwritten text and with purple accents. Interior includes typed text describing Yom Hashoah program as well as upcoming events from the Holocaust Center,
Card with colored pencil and marker illustration. When opened, front side shows illustrations of two five pointed stars and a stack of hearts, and is inscribed: "Margow. We are sorry for your loss." Back shows a tree with spiral-shaped branches and heart-shaped bow and arrows with a rectangular border with hearts in each corner.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "We feel your loss! We feel your pain! We pray for you and with you!"
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "Our prayers and sadness are with you on this tragic day." Signed by the Yu, Kaufmann, and Bernstein families. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Blank Goddard Middle School postcard. Front reads: "Goddard Middle School Good News!" and features the school's symbol.
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of seven children holding hands around a table with a large goblet and loaf of braided bread, and seven doves. The illustration is labeled: "We are people of God's peace." The inside reads: "We must stick together in times like these because together we are STRONG and no one can take that away from us. Enzo."
Two heart-shaped cut-outs on red paper with an orange rubber band running through a hole punch. The inner flaps contain a handwritten message to the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. Cecilia [last name redacted], the author of this card, acknowledges that while she did not know the victims personally, they will forever remain loved in her heart. Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/04/18 and reads: "We are ONE life, ONE Body, and ONE God. Love and blessings to all."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a bird with a leaf in its mouth and various geometric and floral motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Tri-fold pamphlet with typed text. Cover includes logos for Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, Ceasefire PA, and Bed the Arc: Jewish Action Pittsburgh. Interior provides statistics about gun violence, information about legislative priorities, and calls for action. Back cover features photograph of Pittsburgh skyline.
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 contains message of love, prayer, and solidarity. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Six-page document with printed text. Script for "amusement" presented at public event. Provides history of congregation.
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.
Oral history of Tim Crossen, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "We will love, no matter."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the word: "Smile" and other floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note in fuchsia pencil, reading: "I've lost loved ones I care about and know how hard it is. Please know I am thinking about you and I'm sorry for your loss." The stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School" appears on the bottom right.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a turtle with floral and geometric motifs on its shell, legs, and neck. The back contains a handwritten note and a sticker with blue text reading: "Stronger Together." The stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School" appears in the lower center.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. The card reads: "From our community at GW, you are in our hearts. We pray for better days to come, for mitzvot (good deeds) in honor of those lost, for actions of light to crowd out darkness in Squirrel Hill and beyond."
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.