The Jewish Historical Institute in Yad Vashem Studies, Volume VIII

The Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw

The Institute was established in 1944. Its primary aims were Holocaust research and perpetuation of the memory of Polish Jews. The Institute was dependent on the Polish government and the Joint for its funding. Many of its researchers emigrated to Israel. Its activities may be divided into four branches: i. Archives — documents relating to the history of Jews in Poland; ii. Library — a huge selection of books and documents; iii. Museum — works of art and ritual objects; iv. Research — relating to the Holocaust and the history of Jews in Poland. Some subjects were forbidden by the government and all were subjected to censorship. In 1968 the Institute was becoming a vehicle for anti-Jewish propaganda and most of the staff resigned and left for Israel. The Institute is in imminent danger of sharing the fate of the Jewish community in Poland.