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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2023_53_31 (1).JPG
object

Balloon and Flag Arrangement

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."

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. These artificial flowers became part of a public display of select memorial objects arranged in the windows of the Hailperin Sanctuary lobby. Rauh Jewish Archives staff and volunteers dismantled this display on February 16, 2023, and the flowers were brought to the archive for preservation.

Use and Reproduction
Donor Information
Item
2023_53_31
Donor
Tree of Life Congregation, New Light Congregation, Congregation Dor Hadash, Tree of Life Inc., The 10.27 Healing Partnership
Subjects
Flags , Notes

Full metadata

Metadata

Balloon and Flag Arrangement

Object Identifier
2023_53_31
Object Date
2018-11
Member of Item
2023_53_31
Primary Type
object
Secondary Type
Sculpture
Donor
Tree of Life Congregation, New Light Congregation, Congregation Dor Hadash, Tree of Life Inc., The 10.27 Healing Partnership
Description

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."

Member of Collection
October 27 Tribute Collection [MSS 1297]
Event
Wilkins Avenue Memorial
Hailperin Lobby window display
Location
5898 Wilkins Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Group
Gifts
Subject
Flags
Notes
Creator
Redacted
Dimensions
30.125 x 20 x 6.5 in.