The thematic focus Jewish Contemporary History, which bears an immediate relation to Switzerland, has been built up continually at the Archives of Contemporary History since its beginnings. Securing both endangered personal papers and institutional holdings was given priority. At present this focus covers such research areas as the history of the Jews in Switzerland, persecution of Jews, the holocaust and emigration, Swiss refugee politics and refugee aid during and after Second World War, right-wing extremism and antisemitism in Switzerland. In 1995 the collections and holdings of this area were developed into the Documentation Centre Jewish Contemporary History. It is in charge of the historical archives of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG), and of other Jewish and non Jewish institutions, making them accessible to research.
