The October 27 Archive currently contains 1579 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.
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.
Western Pennsylvanians share their life stories and reflect on the impact of an antisemitic attack in a beloved Jewish neighborhood.
Documentation of the October 27 attack as it was unfolding, told through news articles and oral histories.
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Date – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Clay pot containing white flowers with bow tied around stems. Bow made of gold-trimmed wired ribbon with multicolor leaves.
Glass vase containing bouquet of synthetic orange, white, and red flowers. Also includes synthetic roses in cellophane. Note with typed text taped to vase. Note reads, "For our dear friend Joyce Fienberg, from [redacted], Green Templeton College, Oxford University, and [redacted]."
Clear ribbed glass bottle with packing tape around base. Dirt and small leaf stuck to tape. Bottle contains a variety of synthetic flowers and greenery including sunflowers, oak leaves, grass, and glitter-covered poinsettias.
Cylindrical white ceramic vase containing two bouquets of blue synthetic hydrangeas. Vase is cracked down one side from top.
White ceramic vase (Lenox Poppy Vase) with gold trim at bottom rim and flower pattern. Vase contains stalks of wheat and dried lotus pods bound together with a strip of fabric. Fabric has an autumn harvest theme. Attached to the lotus pod are a not bound in fabric and a wooden heart. Note includes the names of the 11 victims and the message, "Our deepest sympathies to your family, friends, and the Tree of Life community. Our hearts are broken, but our strength is strong. Hate will not win. [Redacted] Denniston and Hastings." Vase has dirt and cobwebs around bottom.
Flower pot covered in green burlap and tied with raffia ribbon. Pot contains blue and white synthetic flowers and synthetic leaves.
Clear glass globe vase with rippled lip. Vase filled with translucent marbles and two synthetic light pink roses.
Ceramic flower pot with attached saucer. Design features daisies with white pedals and yellow centers. Pot contains yellow and white synthetic flowers set in bed of green leaves. Attached to front of pot is a Star of David with heart in center. Star of David is hard-drawn on foam-core board and attached to pot with wire. Marker used for Star of David is faded. Pot and saucer have dirt accumulation.
Clear glass vase containing a variety of blue, purple, and white synthetic flowers. Flowers nestled in wired silver tinsel. Bottom half rusting and discolored from moisture exposure.
Small wooden crate containing a bouquet of synthetic flowers resembling sunflowers, roses, and hydrangeas.
Basket of synthetic flowers with pink bow. Basket and bow have water damage.
Clear glass cylindrical vase with a bouquet of orange, white, and purple synthetic flowers. Bouquet is bound with green plastic ring and string of silver plastic gemstones.
Glass vase containing a bouquet of yellow and orange synthetic flowers.
White synthetic tree with 11 pieces of black lace tied to branches and a rosary tied to top branch. Square base of tree has switch for battery operated power. Attached to front of tree is a greeting card with message from sender.
Synthetic white orchid and bamboo stalk in brown square pot.
Red synthetic flowers with green leaves inserted into a cylindrical piece of synthetic moss. Wrapped in brown textured paper and tied with raffia bow.
Garland of synthetic white roses, green leaves, and ivy.
Terms of Use
The October 27 Archive collects responses to an antisemitic attack in Pittsburgh, Pa. on October 27, 2018. These responses take many forms but share a motivating impulse. Each began in the mind and heart of someone who was moved by the events of that day and was compelled to create something meaningful from that feeling. By sharing these responses, those people chose to be vulnerable for the sake of a greater good. The October 27 Archive website was launched with the belief that sharing these responses with the world can provide an avenue for people all over the world to reflect, learn, and heal.
By entering this website, you agree to honor the spirit in which these responses were created and in which they are being shared with the world.
The materials on this website are being made available exclusively for research purposes. For permission to use any of the materials on this website for any other purpose, please contact the archive. If you are the creator of any of the material on this website, and you would like to provide context or request to have something removed, please contact the archive. If you intend to reference any material found on this website, please attribute all citations to the Rauh Jewish Archives, so that other researchers can easily locate these materials in the future.