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 (063)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life, We are a Junior High small group from PLCPC. We are sorry for your loss. We are praying for the injured and those friends and family of those who died. We will continue to pray as your community continues to heal. Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church San Diego, CA. Mindy, Allison, Ellis, Mike, Logan, Georgia, Ana, Tessa, Sarah, Quinlan."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (035)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, '18 and reads: "We are so sorry to learn of the horrible tragedy that has befallen your church. Please know that we at Point Loma Pres. in San Diego are with you in prayer always and that God will always make things right in His own time and way. Stay strong in His word and trust Him to heal your hearts. In this we pray and support you from afar. Eric [last name redacted] PLPC."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (042)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life members, You have all been in my heart and prayers this past week. It is impossible to imagine what you all must have experienced, but I would hope that your faith and strong community would be very healing at this time. I am so impressed with the response of your congregation- to just keep going, as the Jewish people have done for thousands of years throughout history.

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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 (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 (086)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To The Dear Tree of Life Community, I am so, so sorry for the loved ones you have lost in the most unthinkable of ways. Your brothers and sisters in San Diego, at Point Loma Community Presbyterian mourn with you. We pray that you will find a peace that goes beyond human understanding. Know that I am committed to doing- as much as any one person can do to build bridges of love, compassion, and shalom, and that I will always remember your family of faith while doing so.

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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 (073)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, We learned in church today, our Pastor Karla lived in the community where the tragic incident happened last week. We feel even more insight and sorrow for all involved. We want to offer our love, empathy, future blessings and also prayers for every family affected. We grieve for you, we pray for you, we pray for us all to be as one, we love you. Your San Diego friends in Christ from Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (051)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "Tree of Life, I give thanks daily to Yahweh, Father Abraham, Moses, and Jesus! We are all one with you, bonding with you, suffering with you, and healing with you! God help us all daily to Love, Joy, and Peace! Please let our pastor Karla Shaw know how we can help further! Shalom, Larry A. [last name redacted] Semper Fi America! San Diego, California."