Pollak took a very active part in the affairs of the Jewish community, filling various offices, including finally that of president of the IKG Wien from 4 May 1884 to 27 December 1885. Besides many other decorations he received the cross of the Legion of Honor, in recognition of his services at the Paris Exposition of 1878; five years before, for his services in connection with the Exposition of Vienna, he had received from the Austrian emperor the patent of nobility with the title "Von Borkenau".