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.
Handwritten and illustrated card on light blue paper. The card reads: "We love you!" Signed: "Your friend, Bennett." Illustrations of sun, various flowers, and five hearts appear in the center.
Handwritten note written in blue ink on lined notecard expressing the author's wish that all the victims of the October 27 attack find peace and that God will ease the suffering of those lose who lost loved ones.
Printed note on behalf of Jerry Rabinowitz. The note contains photographic illustrations of a bicycle, fanny pack, and whistle. It reads, in blue letters: "Our Friend Jerry."
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: "Dear friend, Greetings and peace be with you today. I thank God for the opportunity to write to you this morning. I just wanted to let you know that I am committed to praying for you and serving our communities together. The world is full of broken people. Some of these broken people have caused unimaginable pain. To you my Jewish friends.
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: "The Tree of Life Members, even though you are going through something tough you will get through it by praying and being with each other. Sincerely, Holy Angels CCD."
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "Love Wins. Love and prayers from York, AA. T.B.I."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "From Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, San Diego. Dear members of Tree of Life synagogue, Our hearts ache for your loss and we pray that God will give you peace and hope. We also pray that as a nation and as people of God, we can overcome this senseless hatred. We love you, Judy [last name redacted]."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "June [last name redacted] My sincere heartfelt condolences to my Jewish family. This is a really heartfelt and sad time for me as Jews from Philadelphia sponsored me into this beautiful country allowing me to become a permanent resident. I lived with them for 18 months and raised their daughters as her nanny house keeper.
Program for "Adat Shalom Solidarity Shabbat" including a quotation from George Washington's letter to the Touro Synagogue and prayers by Rabbi Danny Schiff, Alden Solovy and Rabbi Naomi Levy.
Clear glass mason jar containing paper butterflies on sticks, rhinestone star wand, and windchime in the form of an angel with message reading "be at peace."
Card with flying dove holding an olive branch in its mouth over a navy blue background with light blue tendrils on the front cover. The word "Peace" appears below the dove. Handwritten note in blue marker from Kelly M. from Freedom, Pa.
Post-it note with handwritten message in pink marker. The message reads: "Our hearts cry with yours for shalom." Signed with a heart, cross, and Star of David.
Oral history with Gemma Del Duca recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th oral history project.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "Hate is not welcome anywhere."
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.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Our dear brothers and sisters at Tree of Life, You are not alone! I pray that God, our father, will fill you to overflowing with His peace and love as you mourn the loss of your family. May you find comfort in the knowledge that even in this tragedy God is in control and will bring beauty from the ashes. 'My comfort in my suffering in this: Your promise preserves my life.' Psalm 119:50."
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.
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 mourn for you loss and we pray the God of Abraham embraces you in fresh, new ways today and always! Shalom!" The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Post-it note with handwritten message with blue marker. The message reads: "Love will always win..."
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.