The Archive | October 27 Archive

The Collection

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.

Using this archive

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.

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Photograph showing selection of archival materials

Leslie Aizenman portrait.jpg

Leslie Aizenman oral history

Oral history of Leslie Aizenman, recorded as part of the Meanings of October 27th Oral History Project.

Dear Hate note

Notecard with message written in ink. The note reads: "Dear Hate- There is NO ROOM for you in our city! Love and FAITH will overcome!" Signed with four hearts in the lower right.

The Church at Severn Run card (01)

Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The front of the note reads: "Heaven is for everyone! God is Love- We love you. 'If any man says he love God, he's a liar if he loves not his brother.' 'Love they neighbor as thyself.' We are all children of the Lord. We are all the same in God's eyes. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." Illustrations of a smiling heart, five-pointed star, cloud, rainbow, as well as flowers, appear below.

"In Loving Memory" note

Print out with the names of the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. Photographs have been included for Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, David and Cecil Rosenthal, Daniel Stein, and Melvin Wax. The names and photographs are accompanied by the following message: "In Loving Memory, Gone But never forgotten." Tears and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.

The Church at Severn Run card (69)

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.

Butterfly drawing

Laminated drawing with a butterfly, followed by a rainbow cloud, in the upper center and flower in the lower center. The drawing is labeled in French "Sois libre, mon papillon" (be free, my butterfly). A note from Lisa [last name redacted], a teacher at Kiski Area Intermediate School explains that the students in her English Language Arts class are currently studying the Holocaust and vow to "NEVER FORGET."

"All of Pittsburgh is United with You" card

Unsigned card with handwritten note reading, "So sorry for your loss. Please know that ALL of Pittsburgh is UNITED with you! Much love [two heart symbols]."

Chabad at Franklin & Marshall College Mitzvah4Pittsburgh pledge card (29)

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.

Laminated ombre heart

Laminated heart with red, pink, and ombre coloring. The words "Peace" and "Love" are written in the center.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Londonderry, N. H.) card (06)

Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The envelope features an illustrated heart. The front cover reads: "LOVE." The inside reads: "Remembering all of you and sending prayers and healing thoughts from St. Peter's Parish in Londonderry NH. Love, Sandi [heart]."

Post-it note (095)

Post-it note with handwritten message in green marker. The message reads, in Hebrew, "Shalom" (Peace). Illustrated with a green heart, flanked by stars, in the lower center.

How to Support Children in Times of Crisis flyer

Trifold pamphlet with typed text over orange background. Cover includes photograph of Roberta Schomberg and program details. Interior includes photographs of Fred Rogers and the Rodef Shalom Congregation sanctuary and a description of the Pursuer of Peace in Action program series, as well as an advertisement for a toy and book drive hosted by JFCS Pittsburgh. Back page features Rodef Shalom Congregation logo.

Holy Angels Parish (Pittsburgh, Pa.) card (49)

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. Due to water exposure at the memorial site, the message in this card has been partially erased. The remaining text inside reads: "...for your loss...[f]or you...Devon from CCD Hol[y] Ange[ls]...[mem]bers of the Tree of life."

Or [redacted] card

Handwritten card in blue marker expressing condolences and affirming belief in the resilience of the Jewish people. Signed with the phrase "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live).

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (031)

Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "Dear Sisters and Brothers, Please hold fast to the promise of God's power and presence in all things. While we have choices He has the final word on how our circumstances, losses, and gains will serve His kingdom. You are loved, prayed for, and supported by many in this trying and confusing time, and always. Please reach out the community of believers for any need. Thank you for your continued faith and courage, which inspires generations.

Synagogue Shooting The Latest In The History Of Pittsburgh's Mass Shootings

Summary: KDKA-TV report providing a history of mass shootings in the Pittsburgh area between 2000 and 2018.

Post-it note (165)

Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "I think about you constantly. Sending love." The Hebrew acronym, "with the help of heaven," appears in the upper right.

Yellow card (2)

Yellow card with extensive red staining. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.

"Etz Chaim" card

Envelope with the Hebrew words "Etz Chaim" (Tree of Life) written in the center. The card features a large white dover on a blue background. It is addressed: "Beloved Mishpacha (family)." The note inside articulates the senders' pilgrimage to place a stone at the memorial which developed outside of the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of the October 27 attack. Leaving a stone at graveside is a common Jewish mourning ritual. The letter concludes with a biblical quote from Job 14:7-9.

George Washington University Hillel card (Washington D.C.) (02)

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."