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
Tri-fold pamphlet with typed text. Cover includes logos for Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, Ceasefire PA, and Bed the Arc: Jewish Action Pittsburgh. Interior provides statistics about gun violence, information about legislative priorities, and calls for action. Back cover features photograph of Pittsburgh skyline.
Card on light pink paper with handwritten note and illustrations. The card reads: "I love you. I pray for you. Lyla [last name redacted]." Hand drawn illustrations of a blue flower, red heart, and red tulip appear below.
Post-it note with handwritten message in black marker. The message reads: "We should all remember preaching hate results in hatred. Preach love, and support!"
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "You are not alone. We are all with you."
Folded card with marker and colored pencil illustration. Front and back cover features Star of David inside heart. Interior features illustrations of heart and tree and word "Please accept our love and thoughts at this terrible time. Beth Chai Congregation, Bethesda, Md."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue ink. The message reads: "We love you. We are here for you." Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Summary: Pittsburgh City Paper breaking news report on the October 27 attack. Includes real-time tweets from City Paper publisher Justin Matase and comments from various local elected officials.
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The front cover features a dog. The inside reads: "God loves you and we do, too! Love, NATALIE" and features illustrated stick figures representing the sender, labeled "Me" and "My friend Benji."
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Eddie and Diane in memory of Al Hess. The note is printed on a tag with a beige background from a local florist.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, Brothers and sisters, we love you and are praying for all of you in this difficult time. Love, The Pasha Family."
Handwritten card in blue and purple marker on paper. The card features a large heart, over a Star David, with the first names of the eleven victims of the October 27 attack. The card reads: "We can't take away the pain, we can only add our love. Love, The Ettingers."
Folded card with marker illustrations, decorated with stickers. Front features illustration of animal with word bubble "Hi" surrounded by a feature, two balloons, and a kite. Interior features illustration of snowflake and cartoon faces inspired by five emoji stickers and the sender's name "Sadie [last name redacted for privacy]."
Handwritten note signed by Ben and Beth of Toronto. Written in black ink on the back of stationary with the logo of Marriott Hotels. Staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Hardwritten card in blue pen on white paper, offering condolences following the October 27 attack.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Message in the upper left corner has been partially erased by water damage at the memorial site. The remaining portion reads: "And love to you community" followed by a heart symbol. The message in the bottom right reads: "Our hearts are with you- sending love your way" followed by heart symbol below.
Handwritten letter written in black ink on lined notebook paper from a Jewish resident of Riverdale, Ny. Addressed to Congregation Tree of Life, the Squirrel Hill community, Pittsburgh, and everyone grieving from the October 27 attack.
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.
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.