On behalf of United Way East Ontario’s Board of Directors, donors, volunteers and staff, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Rabbi Reuven Bulka, who died on June 27, 2021, at the age of 77.
He will be greatly missed as one of Ottawa’s and our country’s greatest spiritual leaders. He will be remembered as a champion of kindness and community building across our region and beyond.
For more than 50 years, Rabbi Bulka worked tirelessly to advance many charitable causes and projects. As the “Courage Campaign” chair for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, by founding the Kind Canada charity and empowering Kindness Week, as a volunteer Board member for Canadian Blood Services and the Trillium Gift of Life Network and much more, Rabbi has always worked at building a stronger community for everyone. He has helped raise millions of dollars for many charities, including for United Way East Ontario, making a profound difference in the lives of many. We are grateful for his leadership and support over the years.
At a time when we have experienced too many unkindnesses - we lose one of our kindest souls - when we may have needed him most. Rabbi Bulka - I will miss you my friend and my mentor. And we will carry on in your name.
— Michael Allen (@UW_Michael) June 27, 2021
United Way was privileged to present Rabbi Bulka with our Ambassador Award at the Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala in 2014. He stands among a small number of people and organizations for which we have bestowed this award that recognizes someone who has devoted a great deal of time to making their community a better place. Always one to celebrate kindness, Rabbi himself was also part of United Way’s “recognition team” who surprised dozens of volunteers with Community Builder Awards since 2014.
Rabbi Bulka inspired so many people across our community to volunteer, to practice gratitude and kindness, and to care for one another. We will miss his generous spirit, his sense of humour, and his commitment to a brighter future.
