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
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Our hearts ache and break for and with you. We are with you in this and will remain prayerful as you walk through this incredible loss. With much love, Mary Jo [last name redacted]."
Rectangular cardboard sign. Front reads, "LOVE They Neighbor" with a heart in purple, green, blue, and read marker. Back includes signatures from the Wolfson children.
Black and white photograph showing six men sitting on construction equipment in front of building. Label taped onto photograph reads, "Spring 1970: Jules Karpas, Sam Feldman, Bill Weiss, Elkin Avner (designed new sanctuary), Rabbi Pinchus Miller, Pres. Nate Landy."
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.
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.
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 Members of the Tree of Life Synagogue, An attack on your community of faith is an attack on all of us. We stand with you from afar, and renounce the hatred that brought that madman to your door. Our pastor, Karla Shaw, will deliver this letter (and many others) as a sign of our solidarity with your community. This is a tangible sign of our prayers for your community- for peace, for protection, for security, for understanding.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Together we are stronger. T and L."
Card with colored pencil illustration. Cover features an illustration of a leafy tree with pink asterisk-shaped stars, labeled: "The place where new life can grow." Inside reads: "Baruch dayan ha'emet" in English and Hebrew, and "I am sorry for your friends and families loss. I know what it feels like. So I am sending all the way from Texas this blessing." The back is signed: "Miriam." Spelling errors have been corrected in this transcription.
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: "Dear Tree of Life, I'm sorry for your loss. Hope everything goes well. From Bella [last name redacted]."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The front cover of this card features a heart with the words "God is love." The inside reads: "May you find God's comfort in knowing we are with you in spirit- May the spirit of God stir in the souls of all on our earth to stop the violence against God's people. We want peace on earth and it starts with us knowing our God of peace and love. God bless you and your whole community of believers. Pt Loma Community Pres. Church Loves you all."
Card from a congregant at the Holy Angels Parish. The front cover contains a stock illustration of seven children holding hands around a table with a large goblet and loaf of braided bread, and seven doves. The illustration is labeled: "We are people of God's peace." The inside reads: "Tree of Life Members, You are in our thoughts and prayers. -Holy Angels CCD."
Hand painted card with a rainbow-colored heart on the front. Signed lower right: "Love, Brian S." The card has been laminated.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "You are not alone. We are all with you."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "Standing with you." Tape marks and color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Stronger Than Hate. Rachel [last name redacted]." A Star of David appears in the lower left corner.
Message written on a green note card which affirms the importance of words and combatting hate. The note ends with the following words: "Squirrel Hill is in the hearts and minds of everyone in PGH [Pittsburgh] and in the world."
Bilingual, laminated prayer card with the text of the Jewish "Traveler's Prayer" in English and Hebrew. This "Traveler's Prayer" card was purchased an Israeli Judaica website.
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The note, which is written inside a heart, reads: "We love you guys." Two Stars of David appear on the lower right and center.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, We have been so deeply moved by the horrible tragedy your community is working through. Please know you are loved. You are cared for. You are being prayed over daily. Love, [?] family.
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.