
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
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads, in English and Hebrew: "Be strong, be strong and may we all be strengthened."
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: "God Bless You." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
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 and wishes for love and faith in God. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Program from November 4, 2018 Sunday worship at Lincoln Place Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. The eleven victims of the October 27 attack were memorialized in the church's prayers and remembrances for those who had passed in the past year.
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: "Dear Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue, Although I am a Presbyterian, I have Jewish ancestors. I was so saddened by the tragedy your congregation has [?]. May you have the blessings of the Lord, and may the ones you have lost rest in peace. William H. [last name redacted] San Diego, CA."
Wooden pedestal painted white with white Star of David and red heart affixed to front. Handwritten in pencil and black marker on the Star of David is the name "Sylvan Simon." Collaged onto the heart are white pieces of paper and a translation of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Accompanying image shows all 11 Stars of David in the series.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "May GOD grant you ALL the grace and mercy our human family can minister and let your faith be a reflection of GOD's LOVE for all of us."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Synagogue, Being God's chosen often includes incredible sacrifice. Too often you are chosen to be the sacrifice for us all. Thank you and bless you, [name illegible]."
Hardwritten card in blue pen on white paper, offering condolences following 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.
Typed two-page letter addressed to the Tree of Life synagogue, families of victims, and survivors. Dated Sunday Nov. 4, 2018. The letter includes tributes from multiple individuals throughout western and central Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Beaver, Elk, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
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.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "Love will always prevail. Together against hate." The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with multicolored flowers in the lower right corner. Tape in the upper center. The reverse is stamped with the contact information for Squirrel Hill Flower Shop.
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "I'm sending you love during this most difficult time. I'm praying for you all. God loves us all and I hope you all will feel his amazing love during this trying time. My heart hurts at this time for you all. I love you! Pam."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "We feel your loss! We feel your pain! We pray for you and with you!"
Folded card on light blue paper. The inside features an illustration of a young girl wearing a Star of David t-shirt. The girl is outlined with various scribble scrabble lines in black pen. Smudges of a rainbow appear on upper left side. The front cover features a Star of David outlined in black marker and shaded in purple. Smudging, color bleeding, and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Card with ballpoint pen illustration. One side reads "We Are With You" with zigzag decorations in corners. Reverse reads, "Don't worry. You are not by yourself. We will support you!" with illustration of hand reaching out.
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: "All God's love to you and your families. Dave, Cindy, and Remy. God Bless." The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
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.