
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
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Charles [last name redacted] and Abbi [last name redacted]. The tag reads: "Love, light, and perseverance. Charles [last name redacted] and Abbi [last name redacted]." The message is printed on a tag from a local florist.
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.
Drawing in crayon on paper featuring a multi-colored home with a floral bouquet in the center, surrounded by lollipops and a wrapped candy. Signed: "lo[ve] Anne" in the upper center.
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 reads: "[?] of Life members... praying for you. Sorry for you[r] loss. [G]od bless you! Love and prayers, Holy Angels CCD." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Front cover contains the following quote: "Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness and bad days give you experience." Shows three small Stars of David on the far left and a cartoonish illustration of a stick figure pushing a pull with a Star of David on top of a heart up a hill on the center right. Inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life Congregation, My name is Yahir [last named redacted] and we heard what happened and we want you to [k]now that we pray for you.
Folded card on white paper. Extensive dirt staining. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
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.
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.
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 condolence, love, and wishes for strength. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, '18 and reads: "We are so sorry to learn of the horrible tragedy that has befallen your church. Please know that we at Point Loma Pres. in San Diego are with you in prayer always and that God will always make things right in His own time and way. Stay strong in His word and trust Him to heal your hearts. In this we pray and support you from afar. Eric [last name redacted] PLPC."
Card from the Friendship Circle of Illinois. The front of the card features an illustration of 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, Ny., the international headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The inside reads: "To the Jewish community of Pittsburgh sheyichyu (may they live), I'm very sad to hear about the tragic passing of the eleven yidden (Jews) who were so brutally murdered al kiddush Hashem (sanctified by God). I hope there will be no more bad things that happen.
Print with various birds resting on the branches of a flowering tree folded in half to create an improvised card. The inside contains a handwritten sympathy note written in blue ink from a member of the autism community in Monroeville, Pa.
Post-it note with handwritten message with blue marker. The message reads: "May their memories always be a blessing. Sending love." Signed with a heart and a Star of David.
Card with a peace sign, Star of David, and heart illustrated in marker on the front cover. The inside contains a heartfelt message from a Jewish student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl. The student articulates their motivations as follows: "I feel connected to your community in a way I cannot describe. I can only tell you to stand together, and we will stand with you as well..." Some words have faded due to water exposure at the Wilkins memorial.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "May you all rest in eternal peace. God Bless [heart]."
Hardwritten card in blue pen on white paper, offering condolences following the October 27 attack.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Prejudice is the child of ignorance- Sister Corita Kent. We who are enlightened through Christ Jesus stand with you. -Dean [last name redacted]."
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Cover features an illustration of an American flag and Israeli flag flanking a budding plant in the lower center, and a bilingual quote in English and Hebrew attributed to Ghandi in the upper center. In English, the quote reads: "Be the change you want to see in the world." The inside reads: "Dear Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I am so sorry for your loss. It breaks my hear to hear about acts of Anti-Semitism. I am keeping you and your congregation in my heart and prayers.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "We love [heart] Tree of Life." Staining and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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.