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
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Front and back of card feature Stars of David enclosed by hearts. Inside reads: "Thumbs up I feel your pain" and features a stylized thumbs up and a smiley face.
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live): I am very sorry that 11 of 10 people (Jewish) got shot. It's mamash (really) a very big tragedy. I will try to do everything I can to bring moshiach (the Messiah) and t'echias hamaisim (resurrection of the dead). And the cops tried shoot him and catch him but, there was no use. The robber already shot 11 people. Thank g-d they shot him.
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 encouragement and the sender's prayers for God's blessing. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Card with the words: "My heart is with Squirrel Hill" on the front cover. The message inside is from a life-long Pittsburgh resident with ties to Duquesne University, who writes: "I know that this is a city of incredible love and acceptance, which just makes this tragedy hurt even more."
Hand painted sign with white, black, and red paint on cardboard with the word "Hate" crossed out with a red slash inside a red circle.
Card from three students [last names redacted] at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn, Ny. Front cover features an illustration of a house with a large rain cloud behind it; the rain falls on a small stick figure holding a heart below. The cover is addressed to the families of Pittsburgh. The upper flap inside features a pink heart in the center with rain clouds and raindrops on the left, a shining sun on the lower right, and a smiling face with symbols tumbling out in a diagonal ray.
Black poster with "Stronger Than Hate" written in white ink. An illustrated heart outlined in white ink with the letters "Pgh" written inside. Warped from water damage; dirt on the back due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "I am here in this moment" with arrows and other geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as a sticker with the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
"I voted" sticker with the "Stronger Than Hate" emblem on an orange background. The sticker includes the logo of the local printing company, Raff Printing, Inc. on the lower right. Dirt and other materials on the adhesive back due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Pink card with a large heart with the words "Rose-Ferree Street misses you" inside.
Pages of typed text with illustrations. Includes test of newly written prayer for New Community Chevra Kadisha members, verses include Psalm 121:1 and Hosea 14:7, Talmudic citation from Rabbi Akiva (Mishna Yoma 8:9), prayer for guests of the New Community Chevra Kadisha, the Priestly Blessing, and a translation of Tefilat Haderech (The Traveler's Prayer") by Debbie Friedman
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Though I feel helpless and unsure of what to do or how to help, this I offer. I stand with you, I mourn with you, I fall on my [?] and cry with you, I get back up with you, I move forward with you. Good and beautiful people of Tree of Life. God bless you, Steve."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of the words: "Happy Thoughts" surrounded by flowers. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School" on a sticker.
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a turtle with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, a "Stronger Together" sticker, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a leaf with geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The front of the note reads: "Heaven is for everyone! God is Love- We love you. 'If any man says he love God, he's a liar if he loves not his brother.' 'Love they neighbor as thyself.' We are all children of the Lord. We are all the same in God's eyes. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." Illustrations of a smiling heart, five-pointed star, cloud, rainbow, as well as flowers, appear below.
Sympathy card including handwritten note reading, "Hate Can't Destroy a City of Steel/May the Love and Stories of those lost live on forever/You are all loved by your neighbors."
Card from a student at West Allegheny Middle School in Imperial, Pa. The front features a hand-colored illustration of a turtle with floral and geometric motifs. The back contains a handwritten note, as well as the stock signature: "From your friends at West Allegheny Middle School."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of a haloed dove flying in front of Noah's ark. The inside reads: "Julianna N. I am praying for everyone who died and I am very sorry for everyone who lost their loved ones. But I am happy that you are all in heaven. Many pray[er]s. Holy Angels CCD." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
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.
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.