
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
Orange card addressed to the Tree of Life Community on the front cover. The inside contains a sincere message of sympathy from a Jewish resident of Erie, Pa.
Preprinted card with swirling design on front. Interior includes handwritten message expressing solidarity with Tree of Life Congregation.
Summary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article reporting on Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby and Head Coach Mike Sullivan expressing condolences following the October 27 attack.
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front cover of the card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live)." The card reads: "I feel so bad for you from now and there should be no more bad stuff and moshiach (the Messiah) should come right now!" The acronym "B"SD" (with the help of heaven) appears on the upper right corner of the left fold. There are two illustrations of large smiley faces wearing t-shirts with smiley faces and yarmulkes (skullcaps) with the Hebrew word moshiach (the Messiah).
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "There is no good way to express the grief and horror our community feels. We will continue to mourn with you." The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with multicolored flowers in the lower right corner. The reverse is stamped with the contact information for Squirrel Hill Flower Shop.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "We are here for you [Star of David]."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of seven children holding hands around a table with a large goblet and loaf of braided bread, and seven doves. The illustration is labeled: "We are people of God's peace." The inside reads: "Tree of Life members, There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to see the light. Margee [last name redacted]."
Typed letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. The letter reads: "Dear Rabbi, My name is Joelle. I'm 10 years old. I live in Montreal. I go to Hebrew Academy, a private school. I'm sorry to hear that there was a shooting. I feel so bad. It doesn't matter what religion you are, you have to respect other[s] just the same way you have to respect Hashem (God). We should always know that we are stronger than hate. So bad things can't happen we have to faith and emunah (trust) in Hashem. I feel so bad. From: Joelle. P.S.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The cover contains a quote attributed to the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" in the upper left corner. The cover features a full-length illustration of a mountainous landscape with a deer at the center as the sun sets. The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am sorry that someone would ever do that. We're thinking about you all the way in Colorado. I'm a student in middle school. My name is Erin.
Business card from Art of Steel, Ltd., a gift store located in Pittsburgh's Strip District neighborhood.
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.
Card with pre-printed message reading, "'Sorry is not a big enough word to express the concern we feel for you." Interior includes handwritten signatures and messages from various members of the staff."
Post-it note with handwritten message in black ink. The message reads: "We think of you every day. We are continuing to be and do Jewish in their honor. We are sending so much love to you, and our prayers are for you."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear People of God, There are no words sufficient... Know that I and this people of our congregation stand with you- we are with you. With the love of the true and living God, Patrick [last name redacted] San Diego, CA."
Card on light blue paper with the word: "Rooaar" [Roar] in the upper right. An illustration of a bridge with a sun peeking through appears in the center, alongside various other undecipherable illustrations. Extensive tearing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Single page flyer. Backdrop features color photograph of lit tealight candles. Text lists title, date, time, and location of event, biography of speaker, and a list of sponsoring organizations. Footer includes logo for the Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future Speakers Bureau.
Handwritten card written in pencil on paper. The card reads: "Dear Family, Hello my name is Elisha D. I am from Netivot, we stand together with you because a loss for you is a loss for us. May you only see simchas."
Handwritten card in green, orange, and red crayon on paper. The card reads, in large bubble letters: "Thinking of you" and illustrated with concentric hearts in red, orange, and green. Signed: "From Meira, West Orange, NJ." Tearing and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Rectangle-shaped card from a student at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Co. Card reads: "Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue. I am an international student from China. I am sorry for your loss and will stand with you. May peace with you and stay stong. Shalom. Warmly, Xiao Chao [last name redacted]." Small Star of David in lower right.
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.