Yosef has founded and supported hundreds of libraries worldwide, endowed Vancouver’s Poet Laureate, and has lectured at a number of universities and institutes of higher learning throughout the world. Identified as one of the top ten thinkers and most thoughtful citizens in the province, he is an appointed member of The Order of British Columbia, a recipient of both The Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and included in Canadian Who's Who. 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.

Full information on SFU's Graduate Liberal Studies and the Shadbolt Fellowship may be found on the GLS webpage.