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
Card with colorful illustration of an architectural, urban landscape. Message inside affirms the senders' love, solidarity, and hope, and wishes of kindness.
Card addressed to David Rosenthal. Cover features a reproduction of a painting by Frank Crosby, a resident of the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh. The inside contains messages of love and support written by other members of the Emmaus Community.
Blank Goddard Middle School postcard. Front reads: "Goddard Middle School Good News!" and features the school's symbol.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "My thoughts and prayers are with you. Clara [last name redacted]."
Handwritten note on coloring book paper. The front side features the outlines of two horses, colored in with assorted colored pencils. The note reads: "God be with you all. Love Gemma and Giovina [last name redacted]. 4 year olds." The back features the outlines of a leopard perched in a tree with a squirrel.
Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads: "Love."
Handmade card on white paper. Eleven trees, illustrated in blue ink, appear in the center. The number 11 appears below, followed by a heart. The card reads: "For the 11 people that died. Love, Coleman [last redacted]."
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: "We all pray for you of what happened. We pray the people that are hurt to get better and the people that died to be happy in heaven. Aubry M Holy Angels 4th grade." Color bleeding due to water exposure at the memorial site.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover reads: "F.e.a.r. has two meanings- Forget everything and run OR Face everything and rise. The choice is yours." A star of David and cartoonish illustration of a smiling boy wearing a red baseball cap appear below; a shining sun in the upper right corner. The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, We are sorry for your loss and we hope you are recovering well. -Aiden G. Littleton, Colorado." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Four page pamphlet with paragraphs of typed text and headshot portraits throughout. Purple toned text and photographs. Text describes history and mission of Lest We Forget project.
Folded card on yellow paper with handwritten messages and marker illustrations. The front cover reads: "Have Hope." The inside reads: "Remember to stay hopeful during these hard times. Our are thoughts are with you." A yellow-outlined smiley face appears below. The back reads: "Pittsburgh will support you" and features a large Star of David illustrated in yellow.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front and back cover features the following quote: "Everyday may not be a good day BUT." The quote continues on the inside: "There is good in Every DAY!!" The card reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffr[e]y Myers, I am very sorry to hear about the shooting that has occurred. My best wishes for you all. -7th grade student from Littleton, Colorado." The message is accompanied by a large Star of David in the upper center.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. The card reads: "From our community at GW, you are in our hearts. We pray for better days to come, for mitzvot (good deeds) in honor of those lost, for actions of light to crowd out darkness in Squirrel Hill and beyond."
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "May God's Peace and Love grow in Pittsburgh and everywhere!"
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover features a tree with a heart in the leaves. Inside reads: "We stand with you :-) :-) :-)" and features a landscape with a tree in the center and the sun in the upper right corner. Back shows a tree with three five-pointed stars in the leaves.
Page of blank stationery. Navy blue printing on white paper. Header read, "Congregation Oher Chodosh 79-81 Roberts Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 195_."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The front cover reads: "Letters." The inside reads: "To Tree of Life family: Who can explain such an event? And how do we move forward? My prayer is that your faith in your God will see you through this grieving time and heal you all with His Grace. Steve [last name redacted]."
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.