Tanenbaum Mourns the Loss of Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE pictured with Tanenbaum Founder and President, Dr. Georgette F. Bennett
Dear Friends,
It is with deep sadness that I share the loss of our long-time Tanenbaum friend, Board Member, and visionary, Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE, who passed in his home on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Leonard, the late husband of Tanenbaum President and Founder Dr. Georgette F. Bennett, understood the spirit and mission of Tanenbaum from the very beginning. Through his ongoing contributions and generosity, Leonard helped our organization grow immensely. Indeed, Leonard’s support of the Peacemakers in Action award has allowed us to give an honorarium of $15,000 to each new Peacemaker named since 2008.
Leonard believed in the power of Tanenbaum’s mission and lived the principles of building respect for people of all beliefs. The passing of Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky is a huge loss to humanity, and we will greatly miss him.
Joyce Dubensky, CEO Emerita, reflected, “Leonard‘s passion for giving and his philanthropy came from his big heart and his life-long vision that we can make our world more beautiful, smarter, and fair for all. His giving was not only generous, but also smart – always giving in a way that focused on real change and real results for a better world.”
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE was also the Founder and Chairman of Hansard Global Plc, founding trustee of the Polonsky Foundation, and an honorary fellow and governor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He served on the boards of the Harry S. Truman Research Center for the Advancement of Peace and the Bezalel Institute of Art & Design and built the Polonsky Academy for the Advanced Study of the Humanities and Social Sciences on the campus of the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute.
Leonard’s legacy and accomplishments are beyond measurement. As a tribute, we’ve created a photo gallery highlighting Leonard throughout his years with Tanenbaum. Leonard’s tapestry of powerful anecdotes, including his reflection about experiencing antisemitism at a young age, will always serve as an important reminder of the need to continue Tanenbaum’s mission. Tanenbaum would not be the organization it is today without Leonard’s generosity, humanity, spirit, and commitment. And his wicked sense of humor!
Thank you for honoring the legacy of Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE with us.
In remembrance,
Rev. Mark Fowler, CEO, Tanenbaum
Bill Clinton and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Board of Directors member Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE chats with Leadership Council member Ann Kern
Bob Heller, Jerry Gotkin and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Dr. Georgette Bennett and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Dr. Georgette Bennett and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Dr. Georgette F. Bennett and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Dr. Georgette F. Bennett with Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky and Peacemaker Hind Kabawat
Dr. Georgette F. Bennett with Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Sir Gilbert Levine
Dr. Georgette F. Bennett with husband and Tanenbaum Board Member Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and son Josh Tanenbaum
Dr. Georgette F. Bennett and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE Together
Dr. Georgette F. Bennett, Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and friends
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Peacemaker Fr. Alex Reid
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Peacemaker Fr. Alex Reid
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE (center) and Fareed Zakaria (right) and Robert Lewis (left)
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Amelia Ogunlesi – Tanenbaum’s Gala
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Ann Kern
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Rev. Mark Fowler
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Scottie Twine
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE with friends
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE, Dr. Georgette F. Bennett, and Josh Tanenbaum
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE, Ephraim Isaac, Bill Lowrey, Rev. Benny Giay & Greg Leventis
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE, Robert Lewis, Peacemaker Ephraim Isaac
Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Guest Alex DiRocco chats with Host Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Pamela Couture
Dr. Leonard Polonsky, Peacemakers Imam Muhammad Ashafa, Sakena Yacoobi & others
Ivo Markovic, Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE and Georgette Bennett
Joyce Dubensky and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky
Joyce Dubensky, Dr. Leonard Polonsky and President and Founder Georgette Bennett
Karen Sisk, Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE, and Rev. Mark Sisk, and Mary Jane Brock
Dr. Leonard Polonsky CBE and Rev. Mark Fowler, Tanenbaum CEO
Media Honorees Sheryl WuDunn – Nicholas Kristof with Leonard Polonsky CBE – Georgette Bennett- Arthur Sulzberger
Mr and Mrs Peck and Leonard Polonsky
Soledad O’Brien, Dr. Georgette F. Bennett and Leonard S. Polonsky
Steven Narker, Joyce Dubensky and Inspiration Circle Honoree Leonard Polonsky
T25 Kick Off – Alex Stanton and Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky CBE
Tanenbaum Board Chair Justin Foa and Leonard Polonsky
Tanenbaum CEO Rev. Mark Fowler with Tanenbaum Founder & President Georgette Bennett, Justin Foa, Candida Moss, and Leonard Polonsky
