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
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 "Cecil Rosenthal." 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." Affixed to one side of the pedestal is a black sticker with the word "LOVE" in white letters. Accompanying image shows all 11 Stars of David in the series.
Spiral bound booklet with peach-colored cover page, gray binding, and light blue back cover, 43 pages. Contains information for members, including descriptions of officer responsibilities, a guide for leading services, and contact information for Jewish resources in Pittsburgh. Two pages containing contact information have been redacted from digital version.
Canvas with "We Are Better Than Hate" painted in orange letters with black border on a white background with black border. Canvas wrapped and stapled to wooden frame.
Glass vase with four blue and white star-shaped balloons and a miniature American flag. Handwritten in black marker on white balloon is "Love One Another Right Now" with two hearts. Attached to front of vase is typed note that reads, "For our beloved neighbors that worshipped at the Tree of Life Synagogue, with great sadness, but also with a recommitment to a world of justice, reason, and love - [redacted], Chatham University;-[redacted], Washington DC - [redacted], Fouzhou China- [redacted], Sao Paulo Brazil."
Handwritten note written in purple marker on white paper reading: "We are all praying for you on this tragic day." Signed by the Yu, Kaufmann, and Bernstein families. Color bleeding due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your congregation during this most difficult time. We here in San Diego pray for your healing. Jeanie."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated Nov. 4, 2018 and reads: "To the beautiful Tree of Life community in Pittsburgh from a Presbyterian in San Diego: Shalom... May your deepest sorrows be comforted by God's soothing peace. May you feel the support of others around the world. Imagine me, a teacher named Carolyn V., carrying 2 buckets to hold your tears and mine as I grieve with you. Never let evil win. LOVE WILL TRIUMPH. Love from C. [last name redacted] [heart symbol]."
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, May God give you strength and courage to overcome this tragedy and bring even more conviction and purpose to the Tree of Life congregation. [First name illegible, last name redacted]."
Hallmark card from a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The front cover reads: "Faith is the friend that comes along when things just seem to go all wrong." The inside reads: "Please accept our sympathy and prayer at this sad time. Love- Scott, Michelle, Sean, and Jill [last name redacted]."
Card featuring reproduction of a nineteenth century Japanese woodblock print depicting the grounds of the Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. Interior includes handwritten note from two individuals who identify as a Catholic and a baptized Episcopalian, respectively.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Our God is stronger than hate. Our love for you in stronger than hate. We cry with you, stand with you, support you, grieve with you. Our hearts hurt but we know your strength and the strength God gives us to overcome the evil in this world. In love and solidarity, Carole."
Miniature New York State flag. Wrapped around stem of flag is a slip of laminated yellow paper reading, "In Memory of our Sister BERNICE SIMON z''l -- To his family and community we pray Tanuchamo min hashamayim. May God in Heaven comfort you. The Principals, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Students of Magen David Yeshivah. Brooklyn, NY." Part of a series of 11 flags, each dedicated to one of the victims. Additional photograph shows the entire set of 11.
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustration in blue and green marker. The message reads: "Nothing is lost on the breath of G-d." An illustration of a dove holding an olive branch against the backdrop of cresting waves or mountains.
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.
Folded card with marker illustration. Cover features Star of David and four hearts. Interior features illustration of tree and messages "We stand with you" and "Beth Chai Congregation stands with you."
Handwritten note written in blue ink on a piece of notebook paper. Message is difficult to read due to low ink level. Pink staining throughout due to color bleeding from other nearby materials at the Wilkins memorial.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter is dated 11/4/18 and reads: "Tree of Life Community- All of your brothers and sisters at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church mourn with you. We are absolutely devastated at the events of last week's service, and there are no words one can say to make sense of it. The God of Abraham, Isaac, David, and Jacob is with you, and we pray for comfort, community, city, our country and our world.
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 card reads: "Tree of Life Synagogue" and contains the following note: "TREE OF LIFE, I am very sorry for your loss. I send prayers that it gets better. I pray for your loved ones. Holy Angels, 6th grade, Brooklynn."
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.