On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, DOROTHY P. POLAKOFF of Chevy Chase, MD. Beloved wife of the late Joseph Polakoff; devoted sister of Shirley P. Stein (Lester). Also survived by loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the Adas Israel Congregation, Connecticut Ave., and Porter Street NW. Interment Adas Israel Congregation Cemetery, Washington, DC. The family will be receiving visitors at the home of her sister on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to Jewish Social Services Agency, The U.S. Holocaust Museum or the charity of one”s choice. Arrangements by HINES-RINALDI FUNERAL HOME, INC., under Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington Contract.

She was the founder of the Department of Social Work at Gallaudet University, and served as its chair until her retirement. The Department of Social Work honored her by giving The Dorothy Polakoff Award for Highest GPA annually to the sociology major.

The family will be receiving visitors at the home of her sister, Shirley Stein, on Thursday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. at 3202 Coquelin Terrace, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

Contributions may be made to the Jewish Social Service Agency of Greater Washington, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the charity of one’s choice.

Note from WSJD President: Steve Brenner: It is sad day that Dorothy Polakoff passed away recently. She was one of two daughters of Anna Plappinger of New York. Anna was known as one of the founders of National Congress of Jewish Deaf (now Jewish Deaf Congress) way back in 1956. Both Dororthy and her devoted sister Shirley Stein set up the Plappinger Leadership fund for NCJD and also Dorothy was a strong supporter for Washington Society of Jewish Deaf. We all will miss Dorothy for her kindness and generosity among the Jewish Deaf people. May her soul rest in peace.

Posted 5/7/09
Deaf Times