Yosef Wosk is a Shadbolt Fellow, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Humanities, and former Director of Interdisciplinary Programs in Continuing Studies at Simon Fraser University where he developed seminal programs such as The Philosophers' Cafe and The Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars. He holds Ph.D.s in Religion & Literature as well as in Psychology, and Masters degrees in Education and in Theology. He has also received honorary doctorates from Emily Carr University of Art + Design and from SFU. Yosef, who is an ordained rabbi, founded and supported hundreds of libraries worldwide, endowed Vancouver's Poet Laureate, is the patron of the Carter Wosk British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for Applied Art and Design, contributed to the planting of numerous gardens and hundreds of thousands of trees, and initiated the Max Wyman Award for Creative Criticism. Identified as one of the top ten thinkers and most thoughtful citizens in the province, he has lectured at a number of institutes of higher learning throughout the world. His numerous honours include being listed in Canadian Who's Who, an appointed member of The Order of British Columbia, a recipient of both The Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and a laureate of the BC Community Achievement Award and Medal. He was presented with the rare President’s Award from the Canadian Museums Association and a special Culture Beyond Borders medal from UNESCO. Active in communal affairs—especially in the areas of education, libraries, museums, the arts, social services, heritage conservation, gardens, philanthropy and religion—Yosef is a media commentator, public speaker and published author.
Photo Credit: Joshua Berson