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 illustrations in red marker. A cascading stream of hearts, outlined in red, begins in the upper left corner and extends to the lower right corner.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The note is written in Hebrew and English. Translated into English, the message reads: "The People of Israel Lives. Love from Toronto, Mark [last name redacted]."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Love with [will] always win in a war against hate. -Simon [last name redacted]."
Summary: Associated Press wire report carried by WESA about President Donald Trump's public response to the October 27 attack.
Typed letter addressed to Jerry Rabinowitz from Louis D. Louis identifies himself as a gay patient of Rabinowitz during the 1980s. He thanks for Rabinowitz for his sensitivity and care. The letter is enclosed in a plastic page protector and has tape residue on the back from the Wilkins memorial.
Handmade card illustrated with multi-colored crayons on light purple paper. The front features a child's illustration of an animal, perhaps a horse, with its mouth open wide in the shape of the letter C. The back features a blob outlined in brown crayon and other undecipherable imagery.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover shows a whimsical landscape with a tree, balloon, bushes, rainbow, flower, and a sun. Inside reads: "Stay strong, we're all standing with you. A little hope can go a long way [heart]. Best wishes; this too shall pass". Back cover reads: "2018."
Two heart-shaped cut-outs on red paper with an orange rubber band running through a hole punch. The inner flaps contain a handwritten message to the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. Cecilia [last name redacted], the author of this card, acknowledges that while she did not know the victims personally, they will forever remain loved in her heart. Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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 "Richard Gottfried." (The name is misspelled as "Richard Guttfried.") 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.
Wreath made of branches with leaves, wire, and small stones. Stones attached with black zip ties.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover features illustration of Star of David inside heart under name "Aden." Interior features illustration of five balloons and words, "We want you to know that you are not alone. Sending warm thoughts and hugs to your community. Beth Chai."
Folded card on orange paper. The front cover feature a large Star of David outlined in black marker. The inside features a cartoon of a young girl wearing a Star of David t-shirt. Creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Words can't begin to express the sorrow we have felt and experienced as a church, country and people for the senseless loss and hatred you all have experienced. We pray and hope you feel God's peace, comfort and loss in this time of great sorrow. Love will win. Peace will win. Always. Your sister in God's love..."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Front cover contains the following quote: "Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy." Inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life congregation. I am a 7th grade student at Goddard MS and I was saddened to hear what happened at your synagogue and I am truly sorry.
Handmade card on white paper. Three flowers, illustrated in purple ink, appear in the center. The card reads: "I am sorry what happened... [illegible] from Griffin."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "May God comfort you today and in the days ahead. I will keep you all in thought and prayer. [?] from Pt Loma P.C."
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "We are sorry for your loss and hope you feel better." Note is handwritten in black ink on a printed tag featuring a white rose on the left.
Summary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report summarizing federal and state charges against alleged perpetrator of October 27 attack, including obstruction of excercise of religious beliefs, and use of firearm to commit murder. Includes information about alleged perpetrators social media posts prior to attack.
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.
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.