Jed Graef

Jed Graef, born on May 1, 1942, is a distinguished American former competition swimmer who made his mark at Princeton University. He achieved remarkable success as a gold medalist in the 200-meter backstroke at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and held world records during his competitive career.

After his swimming career, Graef pursued higher education, earning a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Michigan. He dedicated seven years to teaching at the University of Toronto, where he shared his knowledge and passion for psychology with students.

In the following years, Graef relocated to Rochester, New York, where he took on the roles of programmer and treasurer for the Rochester Zen Center. It was here that he met his wife, Sunyana, an ordained Buddhist priest, which marked a significant turning point in his life.

In the late 1980s, the couple moved to Vermont, where Graef continued his work as a programmer. He also became actively involved in the community, serving on the Shelbourne School Board and acting as treasurer for the Vermont Zen Center in Shelbourne, which was founded by his wife in nineteen eighty-eight.