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

Group – Cards

Location – Cards

Event – Cards

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (093)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Friends, Words cannot express our sorrow the losses you all have endured. That your community of faith, love, peace was assaulted with such hatred and brokenness-our hearts ache for you all. We stand with you in faith and love in the face of such destruction. We stand with you in prayers for comfort and healing in the midst of your pain. We stand with you as a force for love in a hurting world. The [last name redacted] Family, Lauren, Joel, Kieran, Micah."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (018)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The front cover of this card features a heart with the words "God is love." The inside reads: "May you find God's comfort in knowing we are with you in spirit- May the spirit of God stir in the souls of all on our earth to stop the violence against God's people. We want peace on earth and it starts with us knowing our God of peace and love. God bless you and your whole community of believers. Pt Loma Community Pres. Church Loves you all."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (019)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "June [last name redacted] My sincere heartfelt condolences to my Jewish family. This is a really heartfelt and sad time for me as Jews from Philadelphia sponsored me into this beautiful country allowing me to become a permanent resident. I lived with them for 18 months and raised their daughters as her nanny house keeper.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (004)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dearest sisters and brothers in the Lord, I just wanted to encourage you in the midst of all this tragedy and sadness that God will rise up among the carnage and be glorified through such honor and sadness. He is alive and well, and I know it doesn't feel like He is among you. He is and He will reign forever and be there with you in these hard times. He loves each and every one of you and has a plan for all of this.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (098)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To our Brothers and Sisters at Tree of Life Synagogue, First off, my heart is saddened by the unspeakable tragedy that visited your community last week. My (one) heart breaks with you and we mourn beside you. Second, I feel anger that this could happen. Anger that anyone who have so much fear and brokenness in them that they could commit this kind of act. Finally, and most profoundly, I feel a sense of hope!

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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]."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (049)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "Dear All, Our hearts are crying with you. We feel you[r] pain. We pray you can worship in your house and feel safe. With Halloween just passing, I am reminded of skeletons and the fact they all look the same. We can't tell someone's faith, color, etc. We are all the same- people of God. Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church is with you, supports you, cares for you. Mary [last name redacted] Elementary School Teacher."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (095)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "We are thinking of you and hope you may find peace during this tough. You and your families are in our thoughts. I know God is thinking of you and will keep you protected in his hands while you go through this. It is not fair and we won't understand why this happens. It is terrible and God doesn't give us more than we can handle but it sure feels that way sometime. Just keep peace in your heart and forgiveness for this senseless act.