The Archive | October 27 Archive

The Collection

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.

Using this archive

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.

View the collection

Photograph showing selection of archival materials

Friendship notecard

Condolence note from a family from the Friendship neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Holy Angels Parish (Pittsburgh, Pa.) card (22)

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: "We are praying you. We don't deserve this [heart symbol]. Nicole [heart symbol]."

Post-it note (055)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Stronger Than Hate. Rachel [last name redacted]." A Star of David appears in the lower left corner.

Amy Jonas-Ruth Edelstein letter

Typed letter from Amy Jonas of the Hebrew Institute of Pittsburgh to Ruth Edenstein, President of Congregation Dor Hadash, thanking Dor Hadash for sponsoring the construction of a ramp on the Hebrew Institute building.

"Cecilia" card

Two heart-shaped cut-outs on red paper with an orange rubber band running through a hole punch. The inner flaps contain a handwritten message to the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. Cecilia [last name redacted], the author of this card, acknowledges that while she did not know the victims personally, they will forever remain loved in her heart. Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.

Holy Angels Parish (Pittsburgh, Pa.) card (10)

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." Signed "-Jenna [last name redacted]" in the lower right corner. The inside contains several messages, including: "We love [heart symbol] you... Get well soon!!!!... Get well soon... I'm praying for you...hope you get better...we hope you heal fast...get well soon.

The Church at Severn Run card (66)

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 love and prayer. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.

Neiberg family card (2)

Card with the words: "Stronger Than Hate" written in brown ink. A large Star of David with a heart appears in the lower center. The note inside is addressed to Tree of Life. The sender thanks the synagogue for creating such a beautiful place of worship where her family gained so much.

"Prayer of St. Francis" prayer

Handwritten "Prayer of St. Francis" written in black ink on white paper, glued to cardboard. Warping due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.

The Church at Severn Run card (56)

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 message of condolence and a wish for peace, articulated through citations to the Book of Psalms. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.

"In Sympathy and Caring" card

Card with handwritten note from a non-Jewish resident on Montreal, Canada. The front cover features a pin with a red velvet poppy flower and a Canadian flag pinned over a pink flower. The inside contains a message of support from a non-Jewish resident of Montreal, Doug, who writes: "Though I am not Jewish, and cannot fully understand, I live in the middle of a beautiful vibrant Jewish community in Montreal, Canada."

Post-it note (155)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "May their memories be a blessing." Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (015)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Tree of Life Synagogue- We in San Diego stand with you and all send all our love. Tom and Linda [last name redacted]."

Two dragonflies card

Card with illustration of two dragonflies on the cover. Message affirms the power of love to triumph over hate. The information on the back indicates that this card was purchased in support of UNICEF, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

"With Deepest Sympathy" card

Sympathy card with bouquet of daisies in a mason jar, tied with a pink ribbon in a bow, illustrated on the front cover. Letter addressed to "Tree of Life, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, the United States, the world." The senders extoll the moral imperative that love triumph over hate.

"Charles and Abbi" floral tag

Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Charles [last name redacted] and Abbi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Love, light, and perseverance. Charles [last name redacted] and Abbi [last name redacted]." The message is printed on a tag from a local florist.

Post-it note (176)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "Full recovery for all injured."

The Church at Severn Run card (15)

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.

Post-it note (095)

Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads, in Hebrew, "Shalom" (Peace). Illustrated with a green heart, flanked by stars, in the lower center.

Congregation Beth Torah (Richardson, Tx.) card (4)

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.