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

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 (013)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dearest brothers and sisters of faith, Words cannot express the sadness and rage we feel in what has happened in your community. May God grant you His peace- as only [underlined] He [underlined] can do and know our love and prayers are with you. In love, Jolene and Dave [last name redacted] Point Loma Pres- San Diego, Ca."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (059)

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 the families and friends of Tree of Life Synagogue: Please be comforted by the prayers for your losses- offered up by believers of many faiths. Only God can know why this tragedy occurred, but know that He will hold you in his loving arms to heal you with his abiding love and faithfulness. The prayer quilt is tired with countless prayers as well. Be comforted when you see it.

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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 (091)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To the Tree of Life Community, We are praying for you in San Diego and sending you blessings through this difficult time. God is with you and holding your members who passed in His loving hand. May His light fill your hearts during these dark times and remind you of His love even through the things we cannot explain. Bless you, Gresham." An illustration of a tree filled with hearts appears below.

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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 (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 (002)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "To the Tree of Life Synagogue, Our love and support go out to you. Only the Love of God in us can help to overcome such a tragedy and grief. Stay strong, stay united, and know that we at Point Loma Church in San Diego are praying for you and remembering you. With His Love, Geri [last name redacted]."

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (003)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Friends at Tree of Life Synagogue, My heart hurts and aches for the tragedy and violence you have seen. I have thought about it many times as I sit in my own church with family and friends. May God wake with you always, ALL ways, may His breath be in yours, may you heal and grow together from this horrible loss. With much love, Katie [last name redacted] from PLCPC.

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Gifts

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (008)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To Members of Tree of Life and your community, We stand with you! I am praying for spiritual and physical healing for those who were injured or affected by the awful act of hatred directed at you. We serve an all-powerful God of mercy and love and I pray that you are comforted knowing that there are many who are lifting prayers on your behalf. May you as a community of faith be encouraged and healed. Pam [last name redacted]."

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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."