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 from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. Front cover reads: "From: Menachem [last name redacted] To: Jewish Community of Pittsburgh." Inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live). Passed away: 11, Injured: 2 Yidden (Jews) + 2 policemen=4. Illustrated below there is a wagon holding the shooter, who says in a word bubble: "I just wanted to kill Jews." A man with a hat, perhaps a police officer, is seated on the right.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "God be with each of you."
Summary: WESA profile on alleged perpetrator of the October 27 attack, including background on his social media posts about HIAS. Includes comments from HIAS President Mark Hetfield and from social media platform Gab.
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 is dated October 28, 2018 and reads: "Dear Friends, Peace to you. May you live in the love, joy, and kindness of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is on the throne, always. Harry [last name redacted]." 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: "I am so sorry for the loss in your community. I hope you know there are many in our church and community who support you in your loss with our prayers."
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The front cover reads: "Faith is the friend that comes along when things just seem to go all wrong." The inside reads: "You are not alone in this tragedy. We will pray for God's peace for your community. Love is stronger than hate. Colleen and Michael."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To Members of Tree of Life Synagogue, We are family and feel your grief. Prayers for our world to know and respect our roots together. Love and hope to you as you recover and move on with joy. Sincerely, Christi [last name redacted]."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "God is love. Love beats hate any day." Signed by Cecelia [last name redacted]."
Floral tag from floral arrangement addressed to Rabbi Hazzan Myers at Tree of Life synagogue. The message is printed on flower tag from a local florist. Significant tears due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card with colored pencil and marker illustration. When opened, front side shows illustrations of two five pointed stars and a stack of hearts, and is inscribed: "Margow. We are sorry for your loss." Back shows a tree with spiral-shaped branches and heart-shaped bow and arrows with a rectangular border with hearts in each corner.
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: "I'm praying for everyone that lost a love one. I will pray for everyone that died. Sincerely, Hannah [last name redacted]." Spelling errors corrected for clarity. Color bleeding due to water exposure at the memorial site.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "I'm praying for these holy souls, may God shine His light upon them!"
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Love and solidarity from the Bay Area."
Message written on a green note card which affirms the importance of words and combatting hate. The note ends with the following words: "Squirrel Hill is in the hearts and minds of everyone in PGH [Pittsburgh] and in the world."
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustrations in green, blue, red, and black marker. The message reads: "He watching over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps." An illustration of houses on a hilltop with a river, trees, heart, and a moon and stars above, appears around the text.
Note addressed to Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz reading: "Rest in Peace Dr. Rabinowitz. Sue [last name redacted]. Shalom."
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photo gallery showing scenes from Squirrel Hill on the day of the October 27 attack.
Handmade booklet with blue paper on the cover, pink cover on the back, and three pages of white paper inside. Tied together with red ribbon through three hole punches. Extensive color staining and bleeding throughout. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the messages on this card are no longer visible.
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.