The Collection

The October 27 Archive currently contains 839 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.

Using this archive

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.

 

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Forest animals card

Card with woodland animals and the word "Hello" on the front cover. The inside contains a handwritten note from someone who had been a neighbor of Tree of Life for the past 35 years and was deeply affected by the October 27 attack. "Though we are not Jewish, the thoughts and prayers of our whole family are with your congregation at this time."
Historical Notes

In the days after the October 27 attack, people began leaving objects at two locations outside the Tree of Life synagogue--one at the corner of Wilkins and Shady avenues in front of the Zittrain Gardens, and the other on a private lawn at Wilkins and Murray avenues, just beyond police barricades. Community volunteers moved the entirety of these two memorials inside the Tree of Life building on November 14, 2018, for preservation purposes. Most of these objects including this one were moved to archival preservation over the following year, but a small number were arranged in public display in the windows of the Hailperin Sanctuary lobby. Rauh Jewish Archives staff and volunteers dismantled this display on February 16, 2023, and the objects were brought to the archive for preservation. This card was left at the Wilkins Memorial by a family who wished to convey their solidarity and sympathy with the victims and their families, as well as the local Jewish community.

Use and Reproduction
Donor Information
Item
MSS1297_B001_F035_I005
Donor
Tree of Life Congregation, New Light Congregation, Congregation Dor Hadash, Tree of Life Inc., The 10.27 Healing Partnership
Subjects
Interfaith

Full metadata

Metadata

Forest animals card

Object Identifier
MSS1297_B001_F035_I005
Object Date
2018
Member of Item
MSS1297_B001_F035_I005
Primary Type
text
Secondary Type
Card
Donor
Tree of Life Congregation, New Light Congregation, Congregation Dor Hadash, Tree of Life Inc., The 10.27 Healing Partnership
Description
Card with woodland animals and the word "Hello" on the front cover. The inside contains a handwritten note from someone who had been a neighbor of Tree of Life for the past 35 years and was deeply affected by the October 27 attack. "Though we are not Jewish, the thoughts and prayers of our whole family are with your congregation at this time."
Member of Collection
October 27 Tribute Collection [MSS 1297]
Event
Wilkins Avenue Memorial
Location
5898 Wilkins Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217
Group
Gifts
Subject
Interfaith
Creator
Unknown
Dimensions
7 x 5 in.
Language
English