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
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Oral history of Rev. Liddy Barlow, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside reads: "All God's love to you and your families. Dave, Cindy, and Remy. God Bless." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Square card with white and yellow text against blue background. Card reads, "Mitzvah4Pittsburgh. Some spread darkness. We spread light. Choose a good deed. Choose a Mitzvah. Add light to the world," followed by four options and a place for respondents to list their name and email address. Some names and email addresses have been redacted for privacy.
Handwritten note on the back of a piece of paper with the letterhead of KYW News Radio. The note is very difficult to read due to extensive creasing and fading caused by exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handwritten tag which reads: "Shalom. Our prayers are with you, our neighbors. Love, T, M, and F." Staining and tearing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Handmade sign with black and red ink. The sign contains a handwritten message of support from Valeriy [last name redacted] and "whole of Kazakhstan" to the members of the Tree of Life synagogue. A peace symbol with a small red heart featuring a Star of David appears on the lower left.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "Love from Cleveland." A Star of David appears below.
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother DAVID ROSENTHAL z''l -- To his family and community we pray Tanuchamo min hashamayim. May God in Heaven comfort you. The Principals, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Students of Magen David Yeshivah. Brooklyn, NY." Part of a series of 11 flags, each dedicated to one of the victims. Additional photograph shows the entire set of 11.
Wooden pedestal painted white with white Star of David and red heart affixed to front. Handwritten in pencil and black marker on the Star of David is the name "Jerry Rabinowitz." (The name is misspelled as "Terry Rabinowitz.) Collaged onto the heart are white pieces of paper and a translation of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Accompanying image shows all 11 Stars of David in the series.
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The front cover features a dog. The inside reads: "God loves you and we do, too! Love, NATALIE" and features illustrated stick figures representing the sender, labeled "Me" and "My friend Benji."
Handwritten note in marker on paper. The note contains a quote from Job 14:7, reading: "At least there is HOPE FOR A TREE if it is cut down, it will sprout again, [its] new shoots will not fail."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside contains messages of love and support. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Drawing in colored pencil on paper. Signed: "Rhea" lower center on the front; illustrated above with four-legged animal, perhaps a dog. Additional colored illustrations appear on the back. Extensive tearing and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial; the drawing is now torn into two pieces.
Summary: Tribune Review High School Sports Network report on the cancellation of the Pittsburgh City League football championship following the attack.
Natural red rose preserved in plastic box.
44-page program booklet. Cover features close up portrait of a woman's face covers by handwritten text and with purple accents. Interior includes typed text describing Yom Hashoah program as well as upcoming events from the Holocaust Center,
Full sheet flyer includes image of the top half of a mans face and typed text. Text describes Lest We Forget installation.
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.