Leonard Polonsky

POLONSKY—Dr. Leonard S., CBE. Dr. Leonard S. Polonsky, CBE, a visionary philanthropist, scholar, entrepreneur, and advocate for higher education, and cultural preservation, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Dr. Polonsky built a distinguished career in financial services—most prominently as the founder of Hansard Global—before dedicating himself to philanthropy.

Through the Polonsky Foundation, he championed education, the arts, and the digitization of historic collections, ensuring access to knowledge for future generations. His transformative contributions have safeguarded invaluable texts and manuscripts at institutions such as the New York Public Library, the British Library, and the the Bodleian Libraries (Oxford), Cambridge University Library, and the Vatican Library, all reflecting his deep commitment to the humanities.

Dr. Polonsky is survived by his wife, Dr. Georgette Bennett, his children Alan, Marc, and Nicole Polonsky, and his stepson Josh Tanenbaum, along with six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM at Park Avenue Synagogue, 87th Street and Madison Avenue, New York City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hebrew University, the New York Public Library, Theater for a New Audience, The Innocence Project, or NYP-Weill Cornell Hospital, in memory of Dr. Polonsky’s lifelong dedication to education, justice, and the arts.