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
Orange card addressed to the Tree of Life Community on the front cover. The inside contains a sincere message of sympathy from a Jewish resident of Erie, Pa.
Handmade card illustrated with assorted hearts of varying sizes. A large red heart appears in the middle, surrounded by smaller hearts in varying colors. Color bleeding and fading due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
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 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.
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 reads: "Dear members and brothers and sisters- May you each know that our prayers are with you. May you find peace through God's love. Sam W. May our God be gracious to you in your time of difficulty beyond difficulty. Our [?] God is yours. David [last name redacted]."
Handwritten letter written in black pencil on pink coloring paper folded in half from the Dillon family. The letter inside is addressed to God, referred to as "Heavenly Father." The Dillon family pray for healing, comfort, and unity. The envelope is addressed to Tree of Life, written in blue pencil.
Double-sided letter. The front features a letter written in blue ink on a white background. The letter is addressed to the families and friends of the October 27 attack victims, the three congregations that gathered to pray at the Tree of Life synagogue, the people of Squirrel Hill, the people of Pittsburgh, as well as all citizens of the world. The addressees are listed in six respective hearts in the upper center. The hearts are surrounded by the branches of two trees which frame either side of the letter.
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: "[?] everybody is ok...praying for those...are hurt and kill. [Na]me: Elio age: 10... [Holy Ang]els" CCD."
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "Hate Only Destroys." A Star of David appears below.
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: "I'm praying for everyone that lost a love one. I will pray for everyone that died. Sincerely, Hannah [last name redacted]." Spelling errors corrected for clarity. Color bleeding due to water exposure at the memorial site.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover shows four smiley faces, two heart shaped balloons, surrounded by asterisk-shaped stars on a multicolored background. Inside reads: "Our prayers are with you! I hope you are well!" Back reads "2018" and features two heart shaped ballons in the lower center atop a salmon colored background.
Folded card with colored pencil illustration. Cover reads: "Remember that we are here with you" with a heart below. Inside shows an illustration of stick figure surrounded by six hearts. Back reads: "It's fine we're here with you" and features an upright hand.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Never Forget. Love is stronger than hate." A Star of David appears in the center.
Post-it note with handwritten message written in black marker. The message reads: "We are always with you. You are not alone. Be strong." A smiley face and heart appear below.
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: "You are loved and we see you! Never give up because you mean more than can you imagine. Signed, A friend." 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 words of support and prayers for God's love. 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.