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

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

The Archive

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.

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

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Event – Cards

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (061)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The front cover features a heart with the words "Love and Peace" in the center. The inside reads: "To the Tree of Life Synagogue- May you begin to heal in the days that follow. May you feel love from those around you. You are not alone in your pain. You are not alone in your confusion. We are together with you. Know that love and peace will surround you from now until eternity. Though we may be of different faiths, our love for one another does not change...

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (094)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "Dear Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue, An attack on your community of faith is an attack on all of us. We stand with you from afar, and renounce the hatred that brought that madman to your door. Our pastor, Karla Shaw, will deliver this letter (and many others) as a sign of our solidarity with your community. This is a tangible sign of our prayers for your community- for peace, for protection, for security, for understanding.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (089)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11-4-2018 and reads: "Dear Friends, I wish I was there to put my arms around all of you but all I have is this paper and pen. May you sense comfort and care through these note and know that I and many more from the community in San Diego stand in solidarity with you and your community. We condemn such violence against God's children whom we all are on this earth and hope for a time of safety and peace throughout, soon!! God's peace, Sandy."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (079)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Friends, The loss you feel must be beyond my comprehension. I am so very sorry for your tragedy. My prayer is that God will somehow us this to make his face known. I also pray that you will experience emotional and physical healing. These events have reminded me of the frail nature of our earthly bodies. I am confident that God has prepared a plan for us all where we will be freed from our own flesh and all pain will be gone. Love, Blake."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (045)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Words can't begin to express the sorrow we have felt and experienced as a church, country and people for the senseless loss and hatred you all have experienced. We pray and hope you feel God's peace, comfort and loss in this time of great sorrow. Love will win. Peace will win. Always. Your sister in God's love..."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (031)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "Dear Sisters and Brothers, Please hold fast to the promise of God's power and presence in all things. While we have choices He has the final word on how our circumstances, losses, and gains will serve His kingdom. You are loved, prayed for, and supported by many in this trying and confusing time, and always. Please reach out the community of believers for any need. Thank you for your continued faith and courage, which inspires generations.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (068)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Our hearts, our minds, our love is with you. We weep with you in this time of deep grief and our thoughts and prayers flow to you and to your entire community. May love and light always prevail, even in these times of unfathomable acts and in the face of overwhelming grief- may we raise ourselves back into the light together. Our hearts are with you. June."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (039)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Hello, Dear Friends- I am a visitor at this church today- as the wife of a Catholic with a Jewish son-in-law and a nephew who lives on Squirrel Hill Ave- I just had to send some Presbyterian prayers as you grieve and recover. We are all the Family of God! Love and blessings- Mary Ellen [last name redacted]."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (078)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "To our people of God. Our prayers of love and support are with you always. The loss of your friends and family is horrible. Our prayers for healing are with you all. God promises in Malachi 4 that 'Goodness will shine like the rising sun and will bring healing.' Take heart. With love, Liliana [last name redacted]."