The Genealogical Center is a part of the Jewish Historical Institute since 2009 and has been continuing the activities of the Project of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. Its cooperation with ZIH Archives has been resulting in successfull research concerning quests of Jews from all over the world. In many countries Jewish communities consist mainly of the heirs of Polish Jews. Hence, the formers' interest in the country their ancestors had lived. Also more and more people in Poland discover their Jewish roots and come to ZIH for information. In many cases the Geneaological Center at ZIH helped to unite families, whose members lived in various countries and did not know about one another.

Yale Reisner is the head of the Genealogical Center.