Yosef Wosk is an ordained rabbi, philanthropist, author, community leader, religious art consultant, bibliophile, musician, businessman, and academic. He is currently an Adjunct Professor and Shadbolt Fellow in the Department of Humanities and former Director of Interdisciplinary Programs at Simon Fraser University, where he developed seminal programs such as The Philosophers' Café and The Canadian Academic of Independent Scholars. In addition to his work as a rabbi and receiving two honorary doctorates from SFU and Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Yosef holds PhDs in Religion & Literature and Psychology, and Masters degrees in Education and Theology. An avid adventurer and Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, his enthusiasm for world travel is matched by continued support of a global network of libraries and schools. Yosef is also a key figure in visual arts and culture, having served as the Vice Present of the Museum of Vancouver, and through current appointments with the British Columbia Arts Council and Museums Foundation of Canada. In 2010, Yosef was presented with The Mayor's Arts Award (Philanthropy), Vancouver's highest recognition for artists and those who support the arts. An appointed member of The Order of British Columbia and recipient of both The Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, Yosef was recently named one of B.C.'s premier intellectuals, identified as one of the top 10 thinkers in B.C. at the beginning of the millennium.