20 years of the journal “The Holocaust of the Jews: Studies and Materials” 2005–2025

Abstract

The text summarizes 20 years of the academic journal “Zagłada Żydów. Studia i Materiały” (“Holocaust. Studies and Materials”) published by the Center for Holocaust Research at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFiS PAN) from 2005 to 2025. The journal was established as an interdisciplinary platform for presenting Holocaust research, bringing together historians, sociologists, literary scholars, and psychologists. Each volume focused on different aspects of the Holocaust, such as Polish-Jewish relations, collaboration, aid to Jews, the role of the Church, Holocaust kitsch, historical sources, postwar reckoning, and psychological trauma. The publication faced financial challenges and low ministerial evaluation scores, making it difficult to attract new submissions. Despite these obstacles, the journal maintained high academic standards and international reach, including English-language editions. In recent years, the editorial team has faced challenges related to historical policy, staff changes, and uncertainty about the journal’s future.