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Rabbi
Reuven P. Bulka, rabbi emeritus of Congregation Machzikei Hadas, served as
spiritual leader of the shul from 1967 until 2015. (Ashley Fraser)
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By Michael Regenstreif
Editor
A proposal to rename Featherston Park as
“Rabbi Bulka Kindness Park” was approved by Ottawa City Council on September
11, following a consultation period in June and July in which the public was
invited to submit comments on the proposal to the city.
The park is being
renamed in honour of Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka, rabbi emeritus of Congregation
Machzikei Hadas.
The park, on Virginia Drive in the Alta Vista neighbourhood, is adjacent
to the synagogue, which Rabbi Bulka served as spiritual leader from 1967 until
2015.
In addition to his leadership in the Jewish community – he is currently
co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Annual Campaign and is a past
co-president of the Canadian Jewish Congress – Rabbi Bulka’s leadership in the
broader local and national communities is well known. He is the founder of Kind
Canada, an organization committed to spreading acts of kindness, he has played
important leading roles in a number of health care organizations, and has long
played a role in national Remembrance Day ceremonies as honorary chaplain of
the Royal Canadian Legion.
“Our local Jewish community is blessed to have a spiritual leader like
Rabbi Bulka call Ottawa his home. His commitment to helping others extends to
our community at large and is exemplified through his countless contributions
and work with local and nationwide groups. The naming of this park is a small
way Ottawa can express its gratitude to Rabbi Bulka and recognize the
significant impact he has on our community,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.
“For over 50 years, Rabbi Dr. Reuven Bulka has worked tirelessly on
behalf of our community. His acts of kindness, unity and reconciliation
continue to serve as an inspiration to all who seek to improve their
communities. I support this commemorative naming without reservation,” said
City Councillor Jean Cloutier, whose Alta Vista Ward includes the park.
The proposal to
rename the park in honour of Rabbi Bulka originated in a Machzikei Hadas
committee organizing a celebration of both the congregation’s centennial and
Rabbi Bulka’s half-century of leadership.
“Since coming to
Ottawa in 1967, Rabbi Bulka has not stopped helping people regardless of their
faith or background,” said the committee co-chair, Bram Bregman, who initiated
the idea and led the process to rename the park after Rabbi Bulka. “Permanently
naming a park in honour of Rabbi Bulka is a most fitting way to recognize the
kindness he has shown others and to inspire others to do the same.”
“I am so delighted
that the city park adjacent to the synagogue that Rabbi Bulka led for 50 years
will permanently bear his name,” added Ron Prehogan, the committee’s other
co-chair. “There can be no more deserving honouree than Rabbi Bulka, who has
given so much for so many years to the eternal betterment of our community.”
“Beyond the many
civic contributions and his countless volunteer roles, it is the private,
behind-the-scenes man whose day-to-day acts of compassion and care that perhaps
make the most impact. Rabbi Bulka is always, always helping others. From small
deeds to big ones, he does everything with kindness and good humour,” said
Jewish Federation of Ottawa President and CEO Andrea Freedman. “Rabbi Bulka is
unique in that he does much public promoting of kindness, and at the same time,
truly leads by example. Rabbi Bulka makes time in his busy schedule to reach
out, check in and offer support. And he does this for countless people. He is
an inspiration.”
“I have known
Rabbi Bulka for most of my life. I have played softball with him, and against
him. Melanie and I were married by him. Whatever he does, he does with kindness
and compassion, and not a little humour and wordplay,” added Federation Chair
Michael Polowin. “He is a leader in our community, both Jewish and the broader
city. He is a scholar and a gentleman, in the truest senses of both words. Our
community and our city are better for his presence, and we all look forward to
that continuing for many, many years.”
Asked to comment
on the honour, Rabbi Bulka responded with humility and humour.
“Thanks to
everyone who had a hand in making this Kindness Park happen,” said Rabbi Bulka.
“Although I am too old for the Monkey Bars, I hope to never get too old to
delight in others using the entire park, bar none!”
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