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
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Front cover contains the following quote: "Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness and bad days give you experience." Shows three small Stars of David on the far left and a cartoonish illustration of a stick figure pushing a pull with a Star of David on top of a heart up a hill on the center right. Inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life Congregation, My name is Yahir [last named redacted] and we heard what happened and we want you to [k]now that we pray for you.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "We are here."
Red synthetic flowers with green leaves inserted into a cylindrical piece of synthetic moss. Wrapped in brown textured paper and tied with raffia bow.
Card addressed to Cecil Rosenthal, written using personal details from various public sources.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "Rest in Peace. Toronto."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Recover well." Signed with a Star of David.
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "May the survivors and the victims' family have strength fortitude, peace and calm. -Chris F." Tape affixed to the upper edge.
Invitation to Leah's Bat Mitzvah celebration on Sunday May 27th at the Tree of Life synagogue. Illustrations of a palm tree and a sun appear on either side of the central text. On the back, the sender wrote: "I had the best day of my life in this shul. We will never forget what happened. We will make the world a better place."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Love, Pray, Peace- We [?] all overcame-." It is dated 11/04/18 in the bottom left corner.
Folded card with handwritten messages on white paper. The front cover reads: "Love," written in colorful bubble letters. The inside reads: "Your brothers and sisters in Aspinwall love you very much."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "My prayer and heart are with you all. May God's Grace lift yours in this time of sorrow-." Signed with a heart symbol.
Summary: KDKA-TV report naming the alleged perpetrator of the October 27 attack. Includes list of federal charges.
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The card reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live): I am very sorry that 11 of 10 people (Jewish) got shot. It's mamash (really) a very big tragedy. I will try to do everything I can to bring moshiach (the Messiah) and t'echias hamaisim (resurrection of the dead). And the cops tried shoot him and catch him but, there was no use. The robber already shot 11 people. Thank g-d they shot him.
Post-it note with handwritten message with blue marker. The message reads: "May their memories always be a blessing. Sending love." Signed with a heart and a Star of David.
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.
Paper program booklet with image of light blue sky on the cover. Typed text throughout booklet. Contains introductory remarks from Executive Director Dr. Zipora Gur, agenda for conference with summaries describing each presentation, biographies of presenters, descriptions of exhibits associated with the conference, resource lists, acknowledgements, and evaluation form.
Handwritten note on the back of a piece of paper with the letterhead of KYW News Radio. The note is very difficult to read due to extensive creasing and fading caused by exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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 a prayer for God's grace and love. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Cylindrical white ceramic vase containing two bouquets of blue synthetic hydrangeas. Vase is cracked down one side from top.
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.