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
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Ellis [last name redacted] We pray that you will feel better. 2nd Grade. 7 years." The note is accompanied by illustrations of flower pots, stars, a heart, a smiley face, and a stick figure walking in grass with a sun in the background.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "To never be silent at the arms of our oppressors."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The note is written in Hebrew. Translated into English, the message reads: "May their memories be for a blessing. May God avenge their blood."
Typed Hebrew letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. Translated into English, the letter reads: "Dear Rabbi from the Tree of Life Congregation, My name is Hannah [last name redacted]. I am a student at Hebrew Academy of Montreal. I am truly sorry about what happened to your holy synagogue. I hope that this will not happen again. I give [?] all your family and loved ones of your synagogue."
Rectangular card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. The card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue, I'm from Vietnam and I stand with you. I'm sorry for your loss. May peace be with you. Shalom [signature]." Illustrated with Vietnamese flag, peace sign, and Star of David.
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Brother IRVING YOUNGER 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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "Tree of Life, I give thanks daily to Yahweh, Father Abraham, Moses, and Jesus! We are all one with you, bonding with you, suffering with you, and healing with you! God help us all daily to Love, Joy, and Peace! Please let our pastor Karla Shaw know how we can help further! Shalom, Larry A. [last name redacted] Semper Fi America! San Diego, California."
Cover of bencher (grace after meals booklet) from the bar mitzvah of Nate Itskowitz. Features illustration of a black and yellow sports jersey with the name Itskowitz, a Steelers logo modified to read "Nate" and the date "10-27-18," and Hebrew text listing the event and date.
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.
Floral tag enclosed in pink envelope from floral arrangement; tape on the lower left front. The tag reads: "You will never be forgotten. Each and every one will live in our memories forever." The note is written in black ink on a printed tag with a floral bouquet in the lower right corner. The reverse is stamped with the contact information for Squirrel Hill Flower Shop.
One-page flyer with typed text in multiple colors. Lists featured scholars and presenters for conference. Footer contains logos of sponsoring organizations.
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: "My thoughts are with you. We must erase hate. I love you. B.R." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Summary: Timeline arranged by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette listing six mass shootings in the Pittsburgh region since 2000, including incidents in Wilkinsburg, Beaver County, Stanton Heights, Collier, and Mt. Lebanon.
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: "We are all God's People. Love and Praise." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "May your loved ones rest in peace. May your hearts heal and know that we are with you and will defend and love you."
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.