Irwin H. Polishook was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 5, 1935. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College in 1956 with Honors in History and Political Science, an A.M. in history from Brown University in 1958, and a PhD in History from Northwestern University in 1961. He began his teaching career at Hunter College in September of 1961 and continued at Lehman College when it became an independent institution. Dr. Polishook published two books, Roger Williams, John Cotton and Religious Freedom: A Controversy in New and Old England and Rhode Island and the Union 1774-1795 as well as numerous articles on scholarly, higher education, and union issues. He co-founded the Professional Staff Congress, the faculty union for the City University of New York, and served as its President from 1976-2000, a Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers, Chair of the AFT Higher Education Program and Policy Council, Member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the New York State United Teachers, Vice-Chair and Member of the Municipal Labor Committee Steering Committee, and was an officer of the American Association of University Professors.
Dr. Polishook was an active member and former trustee of Temple Emeth, in Teaneck, New Jersey, and an early advocate for the cause of Soviet Jewry.
There are many who benefitted from his work and remember him fondly. He was modest in his achievements and always wondered whether he could have done more to benefit those who trusted him.
Dr. Polishook is survived by Sheila, his wife of more than 61 years, his son Lewis, his daughter-in-law Susan Sapiro, and the loves of his life, his granddaughters Aliza and Bina.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.guttermanmusicantwien.com for the Polishook family.
