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

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Event – Cards

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (109)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "My prayers are with you all during this unbelievable time of sadness for all of you in this congregation. I was so touched by the love... a beautiful outpouring of love, that you shared with one another during the vigils. The entire community is praying for all of you, and I hope that you are feeling surrounded by our love and prayers! Praying also for peace in our world! Kirsten, with love and blessings."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (090)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "Tree of Life Community- All of your brothers and sisters at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church mourn with you. We are absolutely devastated at the events of last week's service, and there are no words one can say to make sense of it. The God of Abraham, Isaac, David, and Jacob is with you, and we pray for comfort, community, city, our country and our world.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (030)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "From Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, San Diego. Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue, Our hearts ache for your loss and we pray that God will give you peace and hope. We also pray that as a nation and as people of God, we can overcome this senseless hatred. We love you, Judy [last name redacted]."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (060)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To GOD's people in the Tree of Life Synagogue, Deep love and care from hurting hearts and encouragement in the difficulties every day. May the deep love of our GOD sustain you, strengthen you and give you peace. May GOD's deep shalom surround you, Chris and Martha (last name redacted), Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church San Diego, California."

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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 (082)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends, I offer my deepest sadness and sorrow for the loss that you all have experienced. In no ways can I understand what you're going through as a community, but I want you to know that you're not suffering alone. My heart is breaking for what is breaking yours. May you all know that your Christian brothers and sisters in faith are standing by your side and supporting you with unconditional love. We are all a family, so what hurts one hurts us all.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (057)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated November 4, 2018 and reads: "Dear Friends, May I never understand the anger and the hatred that has been loosed on you in Pittsburgh. May the awful misunderstanding that leads to these feelings in too many others be washed from the face of the Earth. I am ashamed for so many on our planet, whether they murder Jews, Coptics, journalists, or perceived blasphemers. And I am angered by the fomenting of such terror by our leaders and by the silence of our politicians.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (048)

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 Tree of Life Synagogue, Please accept our heartfelt condolences in the loss of your beloved congregation members, from our congregation at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, CA. In LA, I grew up living next to a Rabbi (Marvin Bornstein) and his dear family. He was familiar with loss as well, having left medical school in Vienna at the onset of WW II. I learned from his example of love, tolerance and peace.