There are many reasons why Rabbi Reuven Bulka was awarded the Key to the City Thursday night.
There is an incredibly long list of community associations, fundraising campaigns and charity events he’s led or taken part in since becoming the leader of the Machzikei Hadas Congregation in 1967. Bulka is also the author of more than 35 books and hosts a weekly radio show on CFRA.
“I’ve been around the city for a long time now — over 40 years. So it could be just for surviving that long,” Bulka, 65, joked before Mayor Larry O’Brien presented him the key during a ceremony at city hall Thursday.
“It is big honour,” said Bulka. “I consider myself fortunate that I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many good people in many different matters over the course of time. It’s thanks to that more than anything else.”
Although O’Brien met Bulka years ago, he didn’t realize the full extent of the Rabbi’s contribution to the city until he became mayor.
“Several years ago, the Rabbi came to me with an idea based on a simple concept, ‘What if we could make Ottawa a kinder community?’” said O’Brien. “Before long, a Kind Ottawa Steering Committee was created and planning for Ottawa’s first annual Kindness Week celebration was underway.”
Even though he was informed of the honour nearly a month and a half ago, Thursday evening was chosen for the ceremony because it was the final night of the third annual Kindness Week.
Just because Kindness Week officially ends Friday, that’s no reason to stop being kind, Bulka said. “We each have the ability to create the community we want — make a conscious choice to contribute to a kind Ottawa.”
