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.

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Photograph showing selection of archival materials

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Hebrewx

Olam Chesed note

Letter written on a torn piece of paper. The letter reads: "Olam Chesed Yibaneh (Your steadfast love is confirmed forever). We will build the world with love for you and for all. [Star of David] Shalom Blessings and Love."

"A Healing Service at Beth Samuel Jewish Center" program

Document with reflections, sheet music, and song lyrics, 9 pages.

"Hannah S." card

Handwritten card in colored pencil on paper. A blue and green colored globe, surrounded by alternating male and female stick figures in purple, red, and yellow, appears in the center. The globe is inscribed: "We are thinking of YOU!!" The upper and lower edge of the card reads, in Hebrew: "Am Yisrael Chai"(the People of Israel live). Four Stars of David appear on either side of the globe. Signed: "Hannah S. 8th grade at Yeshivat Noam."

7 Adar 5779 Annual Dinner program

Pages of typed text with illustrations. Includes test of newly written prayer for New Community Chevra Kadisha members, verses include Psalm 121:1 and Hosea 14:7, Talmudic citation from Rabbi Akiva (Mishna Yoma 8:9), prayer for guests of the New Community Chevra Kadisha, the Priestly Blessing, and a translation of Tefilat Haderech (The Traveler's Prayer") by Debbie Friedman

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (14)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "Baruch [redacted]. To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I'm so sorry about what happened. I am going to bring and wash my hands in the morning in honor of all those people who passed away." A smiley face with a yarmulke (skullcap) with Hebrew letters appears below. The Hebrew acronym "B"H" (Bless God/Thank God) appears in the upper right. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.

Baycrest Jewish Home for the Aged card (1)

Hand painted card by a resident of the Baycrest Jewish Home for the Aged in Toronto, Canada. The front cover features a colorful bouquet with the words "With Sympathy" below. The inside contains a typed message conveying condolences from Toronto, including the traditional Jewish mourning blessing in English translation, English transliteration, and Hebrew, "May God comfort you among the rest of the mourners in Zion and Jerusalem."

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (01)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover shows an upper and lower case "H." The inside features an illustration of two stick figures.

"Mimi" card

Handwritten card in pencil on paper. The front cover features a Star of David in the center and reads in Hebrew: "L'chaim" (to life). The inside reads: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you love, Mimi [last name redacted]." A Menorah appears in the center.

Post-it note (090)

Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads, in Hebrew and English: "Rest in Peace." Signed by Rabbi Fred Pomerantz.

Post-it note (150)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The note is written in Hebrew. Translated into English, the message reads: "May their memories be for a blessing. May God avenge their blood."

"Messiah Revealed" pamphlet

Printed pamphlet in blue, white, and black ink on blue and white paper. The front cover reads, in English and Hebrew: "Messiah Revealed." The inner panels contain ten biblical prooftexts in support of the claim that the Hebrew Bible foretold the coming of the messiah, "Yeshua" (Jesus).

"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.

Post-it note (068)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads, in Hebrew: "Shalom" (Peace). Signed with a heart.

"Traveler's Prayer" prayer card

Bilingual, laminated prayer card with the text of the Jewish "Traveler's Prayer" in English and Hebrew. This "Traveler's Prayer" card was purchased an Israeli Judaica website.

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (12)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front of the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live)." The inside reads: "I have [heard] about the terrible news that happened and I feel very very bad for you. I hope moshiach (the Messiah) should come now so we could join with them now!!!" Multiple stars of David and smiley faces are integrated into the text of this card. Spelling errors corrected for clarity.

Stronger Than Hate note

Folded card with the "Stronger Than Hate" graphic printed in black and white on the front cover. The names of the eleven victims of the October 27 attack are written inside, followed by the following promise: "Rest in peace [heart]. I promise to fight for a world where love prevails hate." An additional message appears on the back: "May we fight to ensure this NEVER happens again. Ahava (love)." It concludes with the names of the eleven victims.

"Maya" card

Folded card on light green paper with hand drawn illustrations in marker and pen. The front cover features a Star of David in black marker filled in with red scribble-scrabble. The inside contains an illustrated portrait of a young girl, labeled "Maya" in both Hebrew and English, wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt with a Star of David. Rainbow colored lines appear above the figure's head.

Beth Israel Congregation (Washington, Pa.) memorial service prayer sheet

Prayer sheet for a memorial service at Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pa. Includes poem titled "Elijah," words to Psalm 121 in Hebrew and English, and a traditional blessing for mourners known as "Hamakom yenachem" presented in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, and English.

"We Are All With You" note

Handwritten note written in black marker on a manilla envelope. Note is addressed to Tree of Life and contains messages in both English and Hebrew.

Post-it note (125)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The note is written in Hebrew and English. Translated into English, the message reads: "May God protect you when you leave and when you come. Happy Chanukah!" Signed in English by the Abrin family, followed by a heart.