Rabbi Bulka Obituary – Death, Cause Of Death, Funeral: “Canada’s Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Ottawa’s Jewish community dies, leaves a legacy of kindness”
Friends and other affected persons mourn the death of Canada’s Rabbi Bulka, a prominent leader of Ottawa’s Jewish community, who reportedly passed away on June 27, 2021 at the age of 77.
Bulka was a Canadian rabbi, writer, broadcaster, and activist. He was the spiritual leader of the Machzikei Hadas Congregation in Ottawa since 1967, and served as co-chair of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 2007 to 2009.
He received his rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Jacob Joseph Rabbinical Seminary in 1965, and earned a BA in Philosophy from the City College of the City University of New York the same year.
Bulka was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer, which was announced in early January, 2021.
This death has caused a lot of friends and family of Bulka so much hurt. It is in that mourning spirit that the concerned persons have taken to social media to share tributes to the deceased and condolences to the affected family.
Tributes To Rabbi Bulka
Below are some of the statements shared across social media users’ timelines on the death of Bulka.
A good man died today. Rabbi Reuven Bulka, beloved Ottawa community pillar, dies at 77. May his memory be a blessing. #ottawa
— Ray Smiley (@Remaxraysmiley) June 28, 2021
Fond memories of Rabbi Bulka who did so much as Chair of @TrilliumGift to increase life saving organ transplants in Ontario. Best wishes and memories of a kind and determined man to his family.
— Dr. Bob Bell (@drbobbell) June 28, 2021
Ottawa Rabbi Reuven Bulka dies, leaves a legacy of kindness. A learned and sweet man. We were brothers-in-arms of kindness.
— Dr. Brian Goldman (@NightShiftMD) June 28, 2021
I got to know Rabbi Bulka shortly after starting at CFRA in 2002. He was joy.
Always quick with a kind word, a smile or the offer of a candy.
We hadn’t seen each other in a while when he said, a”Brian, you used to be a red head, now you’re a grey head!”— Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) June 28, 2021
May his memory be a blessing. My colleagues and friends in Ottawa were members of his congregation, and I appreciated his words whenever I was with him. Rabbi Reuven Bulka, beloved Ottawa community pillar, dies at 77
— Christine Adam (she/her) (@TRUChrisAdam) June 28, 2021
Very sad to learn @RabbiBulka has passed away. Always a kind heart, a warm smile and words of wisdom. He made such beautiful efforts to unify people and communities through love. My condolences to his friends, family and the Ottawa Jewish community. May his memory be a blessing.
— Mercedes Stephenson (@MercedesGlobal) June 28, 2021
Rabbi Bulka, you will be missed by millions of Iranian freedom lovers who you always support them. Rest In Peace and God bless you🌹
— akram (@akram53284417) June 28, 2021
I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Rabbi Bulka. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times over the course of my campaign. He was always a great source of wisdom, a leader by example, and a true inspiration. He will be deeply missed.
— Mike Lalonde (@mikejlalonde) June 28, 2021
He called me “The Red One” … I’ll miss Rabbi Bulka, his gold coins, his blue suit(s?), resilience and his deep caring. He was a very humane friend who gave so much to so very many. In this picture he’s pointing at me. #rabbibulka #human #kindness #kindottawa pic.twitter.com/nfxdSvK2vR
— StaceyDL … made it (@TheStacey) June 28, 2021
Friends and followers are remembering Rabbi Reuven Bulka, an influential Ottawa community leader who died Sunday at the age of 77.
— CTV Calgary (@CTVCalgary) June 28, 2021
Friends and followers are remembering Rabbi Reuven Bulka, an influential Ottawa community leader who died Sunday at the age of 77.
— CTV Windsor (@CTVWindsor) June 28, 2021
President of the Bruyere Foundation Peggy Taillon remembers community leader Rabbi Reuven Bulka who passed away at the ago of 77. pic.twitter.com/63eC0y7vHw
— CTV News (@CTVNews) June 28, 2021
Rabbi Reuven Bulka, ‘giant’ in Ottawa’s Jewish community, dies at 77 –
— HiPeople © (@HiPeoplebiz) June 28, 2021
Ottawa lost one its most prominent religious leaders today.
Rest In Peace, Rabbi Reuven Bulka#UCCan #OttawaChurch #CanadasRabbi #OttawaJudaism #MachzikeiHadas #ReuvenBulka @JewishOttawa— Dominion-Chalmers (@DC_United1) June 28, 2021
Tributs coming in from around the world for “Canada’s Rabbi”. @CanadianPM “Rabbi Bulka … was our living example of what goodness looks like and that will never die.” @RabbiScher In Canada have him to thank for legislating “Kindness Week”. He has left a legacy to all of us.
— Marcy Grossman🇨🇦 (@MarcyGrossman) June 28, 2021
RT @IDA_Canada: We are saddened by the news of Rabbi Bulka passing away, a true and longstanding friend of the Iranian people’s resistance.
He will be dearly missed by all, and always remembered for his humanity, compassion and kindness🙏🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/kCTmYG31Nw— Freedom of Speech for Iran (@Info_ADFS_BEL) June 28, 2021
Ottawa Rabbi Reuven Bulka Dies, Leaves a Legacy of Kindness
— Michele Smorgon (@maxOz) June 28, 2021
The loss of Rabbi Reuven Bulka is leavings a huge void in the community. CTV’s Annie Bergeron-Oliver reports.
— CTV Calgary (@CTVCalgary) June 28, 2021
You may use the comment section below to leave a statement on the death of Bulka. To inform other online friends and relatives about this passing, you may use any of the social media share buttons below to do that.
More information on the death of Bulka will be updated as we receive it. Official obituary publication will be made by the family of the deceased.
This publication does not contain information on Rabbi Bulka’s funeral plans and visitations. You may wait for the family to release a statement on that or reach out to them when it is convenient for them to speak.
Family privacy should be respected at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the passing of Bulka.