Rabbi Dr. Reuven R Bulka, the spiritual leader of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2:00 p.m. ceremony on Tuesday, June 13, “in recognition of an outstanding career as a community leader and scholar, and as a leading figure in humanitarian affairs.”
Rabbi Bulka received his Semikhah (Rabbinic Ordination) from the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Rabbinical Seminary, New York, and a Ph.D. with a Concentration in the Logotherapy of Viktor Frankl from the University of Ottawa in 1971. In addition to being an accomplished author of more than 30 books and countless articles in the fields of religion, health, and psychology, he is also a host of “In Good Faith” on the A Channel and the host of “Sunday Night with Rabbi Bulka” on CFRA. A dedicated grassroots volunteer, he is renowned for his tireless commitment to the Ottawa community through service on charitable and civic boards and regular participation in charity events. He has received numerous awards including the prestigious Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award for his exemplary service to the Jewish Community of Ottawa and was the inaugural recipient of Scouts Canada’s National Salute Award.
He was cited by Canadian Blood Services for more than 200 blood donations and is actively involved in the promotion of organ donation programs. Rabbi Bulka serves as a chaplain of the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, is chairman of the religious advisory committee of United Way/ Centraide of OttawaCarleton, and chairs the Courage Campaign for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. He is married to Leah (Kalish), is the father of Yocheved Ruth (Moshe Shonek), Shmuel Refael (Chani), Rena Dvorah (Yehuda Levy), Efrayim Yechezkel (deceased), Eliezer Menachem (Haviva), and Binyomin Dovid (Shira), and is the grandfather of many.