The Collection

The October 27 Archive currently contains 1333 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

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Photograph showing selection of archival materials
Photo Credit
Photograph by Carly Lough

The Archive

The October 27 Archive currently contains 1333 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.

Galleries

Galleries are pre-selected filters that provide a glimpse into the depth and breadth of the October 27 collection.
  • Oral Histories

    Western Pennsylvanians share their life stories and reflect on the impact of an antisemitic attack in a beloved Jewish neighborhood.

  • Breaking News

    Documentation of the October 27 attack as it was unfolding, told through news articles and oral histories.

Show filters

Primary Type – Cards

Secondary Type - Cards

Language – Cards

Date – Cards

Group – Cards

Location – Cards

Event – Cards

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (13)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The cover reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, From: Ari [last name redacted]." The acronym "B"SD" (with the help of heaven) appears in the upper right corner. The left flap on the inside features a large smiley face. The right flap reads: "I feel very bad for you and there should be always good stuff. And there be no bad stuff and Moshiach should come right NOW!!" A smiley face has been inserted inside the letter O.

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (05)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live): I am very sorry that 11 of 10 people (Jewish) got shot. It's mamash (really) a very big tragedy. I will try to do everything I can to bring moshiach (the Messiah) and t'echias hamaisim (resurrection of the dead). And the cops tried shoot him and catch him but, there was no use. The robber already shot 11 people. Thank g-d they shot him.

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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

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (09)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front of the card features an illustration of 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, Ny., the international headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I'm very sad to hear about the tragic passing of the eleven yidden (Jews) who were so brutally murdered al kiddush Hashem (sanctified by God). I hope there will be no more bad things that happen.

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (11)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover of the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live)." The card reads: "I feel so bad for you from now and there should be no more bad stuff and moshiach (the Messiah) should come right now!" The acronym "B"SD" (with the help of heaven) appears on the upper right corner of the left fold. There are two illustrations of large smiley faces wearing t-shirts with smiley faces and yarmulkes (skullcaps) with the Hebrew word moshiach (the Messiah).

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Gifts

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.

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (08)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover reads: "From Eli [last name redacted] Chicago, Il." The inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), We were all so sad when he heard the news. We all hope very soon there will be tichiat hameitim (resurrection of the dead). My hachlata (resolution) is to look in my siddur (prayer book) while I daven (pray)." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.

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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

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.

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Gifts

Friendship Circle of Illinois card (04)

Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I will daven for you and give extra tzadakah (charity) and nothing else should happen like what just happened and when moshiach (the Messiah) comes [?] and Hashem will do t'chiyat hameitim (resurrect the dead). The rest of your life should be successful. From so and so... which." The acronym "BS"D" (with the help of heaven), a common header in traditional Jewish letter-writing, appears in the upper left corner.