OTTAWA — For nearly half a century, Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka has led Ottawa's Congregation Machzikei Hadas as its spiritual leader. Earlier this month, a gala tribute dinner was held to honour him as he begins his transition to rabbi emeritus.

The June 11 event at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel was attended by nearly 500 people, an indication of the friends and colleagues he has collected through his involvement in the community.

Funds raised will ensure that the synagogue will be able to retire debt and continue its strong programming as the congregation enters a new era with a new rabbi arriving during the summer. In addition, some of the funds are earmarked for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, a partner in the event.

Linda Eagan, president of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, said that at fundraising events for the foundation, she would ask people to stand if their lives had been touched by cancer. That evening, she asked people to stand if their lives had been touched by Rabbi Bulka, and, not surprisingly, many in the crowd leapt from their seats.

Stephen Greenberg who, along with his dinner co-chair Arnie Vered, spearheaded the event, remarked on Rabbi Bulka’s well-known great sense of humour and “corny puns,” adding that “his purpose and goal has always been to help people, spread kindness, and devotion to community service.”

But he said that perhaps Rabbi Bulka’s “greatest impact happens more quietly, out of view, helping others.”

Rabbi Bulka’s wit was in evidence as he began his own remarks.

“This is a miracle,” he said. “Two eulogies and I am still alive!”

Turning serious, Rabbi Bulka asked the dinner guests to rise and observe a minute of silence for the three members of the RCMP who lost their lives in Moncton the previous week.

“I want to begin by telling you that this rumour that I am retiring is an ugly rumour,” he said. “It is not true. A rabbi never, ever retires – never ever.”

And there’s no doubt his presence in the community will be felt for some time, as he continues to serves on a number of civic and charitable boards and committees, and hosts a weekly radio show (radio colleague Steve Madely served as MC for the evening). He also teaches, is a prolific author and appears at seemingly every event in the city.

Employment and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, keynote speaker at the event, said he has always regarded Rabbi Bulka as “my rabbi… I am proud to say he is my rabbi. The truth is that Reuven Bulka is Canada’s rabbi.”

Kenney praised Rabbi Bulka for his work in the community and in particular for reaching out to other faith and ethnic communities, noting that he has “done more than anyone for the cause of interfaith relations in the city of Ottawa for five decades. As a Christian, I must say how touched I am by the way you have reached out to the Christian community.”

A reception was also held June 22 at Congregation Machzikei Hadas to give the entire community the opportunity to honour and thank Rabbi Bulka.