In the Media

2009

  • Dr. Yosef Wosk receives 2009 British Columbia Achievement Award

    Premier Gordon Campbell recently announced that Dr. Yosef Wosk has been selected to receive a 2009 BC Achievement Award. The award “celebrates British Columbians who go above and beyond in their dedication and service to others and who devote time and energy to making their communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, healthy and unique. They inspire by their example”.

    SFU President Michael Stevenson adds “Yosef Wosk is a remarkable individual who has dedicated himself to enriching the intellectual and artistic fabric of his community. His legacy as a public intellectual, teacher, community leader and philanthropist is widespread and enormous.”

    Dr. Yosef Wosk is the Director of Interdisciplinary Programs in the Department of Continuing Studies at SFU and founder of both the Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars and the Philosophers’ Café. Dr. Wosk—who established an endowment to create the position of Vancouver’s Poet Laureate—is a distinguished scholar, educator, author, rabbi, counselor, bibliophile and art collector. His support of local and international communities includes libraries, museums, archives and galleries as well as education, social services and the performing arts. He is also the recipient of a 2009 Award of Outstanding Achievement from the Canadian Museums Association and is an appointed member of the Order of British Columbia, the highest form of recognition the province can extend to its citizens.

    For further information on this award, please visit this page.

  • Dr. Yosef Wosk and Morris Wosk make BC's Most Influential List
    In an online poll conducted by the Vancouver Sun, SFU Interdisciplinary Program Director Dr. Yosef Wosk, along with his father, Morris Wosk, make the list as two of BC's Most Influential citizens. The January 9, 2009 story includes a surprizing and electic group of citizens who have helped shape the province in a meaningful way. While more of a grassroots rather than scientific poll, it is an honour that these two men who have been critical to the development and growth of Simon Fraser University are recognized for their myriad contributions both within and outside of SFU. For the complete story, please visit
    the article.

    The Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver 2008 Readers' Choice Runner-up

 

2008

  • Thank you to all those who helped vote the SFU Philosophers' Cafe as the Best Place To Speak Your Mind in the 2008 Georgia Straight's "Best of Vancouver" contest. Out of a record 100,000 votes, we were honored to be awarded the title of "First Runner Up". This is the first time such a category has been included in the competition and we are gratified that so many people are aware of the Philosophers' Cafe. The winner was Citytv's Speaker's Corner and the second runner up was the steps to the Vancouver Art Gallery - two entirely different but relevant entries. While we take great pride in administering this program, it is truly the participants, the moderators and the cafe owners and managers who who have made these many cafes one of the Best Places to Speak Your Mind. Kudos to all of you for taking part in an emerging public spirit that champions the voice of the individual and fosters dialogue, understanding and spirit in the community.

2007

2006

2005

1998-2002

Past Media (1998-1999)

  • Philosophers' Café, February 1998—July 1999; various brochures & advertising copy have seen a total circulation of over one million.
  • CBC Radio, The Afternoon Show with Kathryn Gretsinger, March 27, 1998; The Philosophers' Café. Produced by Charlie Cho for CBC Radio One.
  • CBC Radio, North by Northwest with David Grierson, March 28, 1998; The Philosophers' Café. Produced by Charlie Cho for CBC Radio One.
  • The Vancouver Courier, April 5, 1998; Café is for anyone who wants food for thought:
    no experience necessary to partake of philosophical investigations.     Geoff Olson.
  • The Vancouver Courier, April 19, 1998; God, ghosts and alien sightings next topic at Philosophers' Café. Charlie Cho.
  • Philosophy Now: A Magazine of Ideas (Ipswich, London, England), Summer/Autumn 1998; Doing Philosophy in public: Peter B. Raabe of Vancouver on his experiences
    of running a philosophy coffee shop    . Compiled by Bryn Williams; written by Raabe.
  • Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre catalogue, September to December, 1998; featured cover photograph.
  • CKNW Radio, The Raife Mair Show, October 6, 1998; interview featuring The Political Café with David Mitchell and Vaughn Palmer.
  • Vancouver Magazine, November, 1998; Philosophy? Who'd'a Thunk it? Nick Rocket.
  • Shared Vision Magazine, November, 1998; Take your opinions out for a coffee.
  • Shared Vision Magazine, December, 1998; Why won't God Die? Douglas Todd leads Philosophers' Café discussion.
  • Simon Fraser News, January 21, 1999; “Comment” editorial — Food for thought: Philosophers' Cafés offer gatherings on a personal scale and address the basic dimensions of human existence. Yosef Wosk.
  • The Vision Television Network, January 28, 1999; a nationally broadcast report featuring an edition of The Philosophers' Café.
  • The Now (Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra), February 3,
    1999; French tradition of coffee and conversation comes to Coquitlam. Hannah Diamond.
  • The Voice (Langara College), February 11, 1999; Smart talk can be found at the Philosopher's Café. Eric Rosales.
  • The Now, February 20, 1999; They came, they ate and they talked philosophy at the
    Planet.     Hannah Diamond.
  • CITR Radio (UBC), Rachel's Song with Thomas Hicks, weekly broadcast of Philosophers' Café, Wednesdays from mid-February 1999.
  • The Capilano Courier, March 9, 1999; Philosophy for the people. Kevin Arnold.
  • Calgary Straight, March 11, 1999; A Flock of Caffeinated Philosophers. Brent Johner.
  • CBC Newsworld National Television, April 18, 1999, The Moral Divide, Jordanna Heller.
  • The Vision Television Network, April 21, 1999, a national television broadcast.
  • CBC Radio Canada (French language), May 24, 1999, Café Philo, interview of Pierrette Lucas, produced by Lyse Lemieux.
  • The Vancouver Sun, August 20, 1999. Arts One 30 years old, and still breaking ground. Paul Gallagher.
  • The Knowledge Television Network: The Open Learning Agency (British Columbia), series of audio broadcasts of Philosophers' Café sessions, beginning October, 1999.

 

Quick Links

 Café Locations

 

Quote