
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
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.
Clear ribbed glass bottle with packing tape around base. Dirt and small leaf stuck to tape. Bottle contains a variety of synthetic flowers and greenery including sunflowers, oak leaves, grass, and glitter-covered poinsettias.
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.
Typed text on paper with gray background and blue and gold accents and logos for Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh. Text lists speakers and supporters for event.
Post-it note with handwritten message written in black marker. The message reads: "We are always with you. You are not alone. Be strong." A smiley face and heart appear below.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "To Members of Tree of Life Synagogue, We are family and feel your grief. Prayers for our world to know and respect our roots together. Love and hope to you as you recover and move on with joy. Sincerely, Christi [last name redacted]."
Black and white photograph showing two young women standing before the iron gates of a synagogue. Label taped onto photograph reads, "Bess & Rose Velgich in front of Oir Chodosh 1945." Original photograph has pinked edges and dried tape.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "To the Tree of Life Synagogue, Our love and support go out to you. Only the Love of God in us can help to overcome such a tragedy and grief. Stay strong, stay united, and know that we at Point Loma Church in San Diego are praying for you and remembering you. With His Love, Geri [last name redacted]."
Butterfly-shaped cutout with colored with blue and green pencil. The words: "#Stronger Than Hate" appear handwritten in alternating blue and green letters above the butterfly's antennae.
Summary: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report on a havdalah vigil held at the intersection of Murray and Forbes avenues on the evening of the October 27 attack.
Handwritten card in red marker, addressed broadly to tvarious groups impacted by the October 27 attack, including the congregation, the victims and their families, witnesses, police, and first responders. Signed by several families [last names redacted]. The front cover features a reproduction of an eighteenth century engraving of a white heron in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va.
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 encouragement and the sender's prayers for God's blessing. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Light blue card with cut corners. A schematic illustration in blue pencil appears on the center-right, a scribble-scrabble line in black pencil on the center-bottom. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "May their memories be a blessing." Signed in Hebrew: [heart] "Miriam."
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Features a bilingual Hebrew and English message and reads: "Am Yisroel Chai (The People of Israel live) forever and ever. NEVER FORGET IT!!!"
Diamante poem by Reena [last name redacted], which was sent with the materials from Emergency Ministry Services, a faith-based training and disaster response NGO in San Juan Capistrano, Ca., affiliated with the Orange County Church on the Rock. A diamante poem is a seven-line unrhymed poem which is shaped like a diamond.
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.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover features illustration of heart. Interior reads "We were shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic events in your community. Please accept this token of friendship and caring from a greater community that is in solidarity with you. Beth Chai members Megan and Sylvan [last name redacted for privacy]." Back cover features illustration of rainbow.
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.