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.
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
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Features a bilingual Hebrew and English message and reads: "Am Yisroel Chai (The People of Israel live) forever and ever. NEVER FORGET IT!!!"
Note dated October 27, 2019 reading: "You can count on our prayers. Together we are stronger than hate. The Roman family." Illustration of a young child angel with wings bottom center.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "May the lord Be with you!" The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white and purple flecked flowers.
Metallic jar containing dried flowers and branches.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green and red marker. The message reads: "Love is stronger than hate. Rest in peace. Jaime." The "o" in love and the dot in the "i" in Jaime are written with hearts.
Card with photograph of ribbons laid out in a rainbow pattern. The inside reads: "God bless. Sandy and Cheri."
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.
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.
Typed memorial note in honor of Joyce Fienberg. The author recalls personal details about Joyce's research career at the University of Pittsburgh and her caring personality.
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.
Summary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editor David Shribman shares his personal account of learning about the attack and describes the scene in Squirrel Hill.
Oral history with Upendra Dahal 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 contains messages of solidarity and a prayer for love. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "May God comfort you today and in the days ahead. I will keep you all in thought and prayer. [?] from Pt Loma P.C."
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The note, which is written in Hebrew, reads: "There is love with us and it will be victorious. May their memories be a blessing." Signed by the Karmiel-Misgav partnership with Pittsburgh.
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 "Richard Gottfried." (The name is misspelled as "Richard Guttfried.") 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.
Handwritten letter written in black ink on lined notebook paper from Jennifer of Indiana, Pa.
Poster with collage of photographs showing scenes of interfaith support and a quotation of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "Dear Blessed Children of God, My heart is broken over the recent news of tragedy and the horror and fear that it caused. I pray for peace. I pray for courage and strength to continue to serve our God of love. I pray for healing and again, God's peace. With love, Jackie [last name redacted]."
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.