
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: "Dear Tree of Life Synagogue, We learned in church today, our Pastor Karla lived in the community where the tragic incident happened last week. We feel even more insight and sorrow for all involved. We want to offer our love, empathy, future blessings and also prayers for every family affected. We grieve for you, we pray for you, we pray for us all to be as one, we love you. Your San Diego friends in Christ from Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.
Handwritten note written in yellow marker on a printed paper with a framed picture with leaves around the edges. The note is written inside the leaf frame and reads: "Eleven beautiful leaves for eleven beautiful sweet souls ripped away... Six strong trees for the six injured but here to stay. Hated can't weaken a city of steel."
Handwritten card from "Laura" of Monroeville, Pa., expressing solidarity with the Jewish community. Writer identifies as "resident of Monroeville," "Gateway Gator," "breast cancer survivor," and "practicing Catholic."
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.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. The front cover features the following quote attributed to the great ancient Roman orator, Cicero: "While there's life, there's hope. -Marcus Tullius Cicero." An illustration of a large Star of David appears below. The quote and illustration are outlined with a repeating pattern of blue and white lines. The inside reads: "Dear L'Simcha Congregation, My name is Olivia [last named redacted]. I live in Littleton, Colorado. I am Jewish.
Card with the words of the Prayer for Peace handwritten in blank ink on a purple note card on the front and back. The Prayer for Peace is an eighteenth century Chasidic Jewish prayer adopted by liberal Jewish denominations in North America. The note concludes: "In loving memory of Rose Mallinger."
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: "Dear Tree of Life, We are a Junior High small group from PLCPC. We are sorry for your loss. We are praying for the injured and those friends and family of those who died. We will continue to pray as your community continues to heal. Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church San Diego, CA. Mindy, Allison, Ellis, Mike, Logan, Georgia, Ana, Tessa, Sarah, Quinlan."
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Together we are stronger. T and L."
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: "There can't be light without the dark. We are praying for your safety and peace. Holy Angels CCD." Spelling errors corrected for clarity.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/2018 and reads: "Dear Fellow Journeyers in Faith- May you experience others holding you in their caring arms during this time of loss and grief. Know you are not forgot. Know God can redeem this tragedy to bring about justice. -A friend in San Diego- Claudia."
Typed bilingual Hebrew and English letter from a student at Hebrew Academy, a private Jewish day school in Montreal, Quebec. In English, the letter reads: "Dear Rabbi, I am very sorry for what happened in your shul. I hope everyone that got injured will heal quickly. I hope that it will never happen again. Sincerely, Max [last name redacted] From Hebrew Academy."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear friends, My heart and prayers are with all of you as you process your loss and the events in these past few days. May God's presence and comfort be showered on every one of you. I cannot even begin to imagine... I pray for God's grace and blessings. With love, Cheryl [last name redacted]."
Folded card on brown paper. Two circular stamped imprints visible in the center of both the right and left flaps. Due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial, the message on this card is no longer visible.
Post-it note with handwritten message in red marker. The message reads: "We are with you." Illustrated with a heart and a Star of David.
Handmade card on white paper. Eleven trees, illustrated in blue ink, appear in the center. The number 11 appears below, followed by a heart. The card reads: "For the 11 people that died. Love, Coleman [last redacted]."
Summary: Associated Press wire report carried by WESA about President Donald Trump's public response to the October 27 attack.
Wooden pedestal painted white with white Star of David and red heart affixed to front. Handwritten in pencil and black marker on the Star of David is the name "Joyce Fienberg." Collaged onto the heart are white pieces of paper and a translation of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Accompanying image shows all 11 Stars of David in the series.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Card reads: "We love you and are thinking of you. May we all see better days ahead. Love, GW Hillel."
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.