Rabbi Idan Scher has been the spiritual leader of Machzikei Hadas since 2015. Known for his warmth, energy, and deep Torah knowledge, he’s helped the shul grow into one of the most vibrant communities in Canada. Rabbi Scher holds rabbinic ordination and multiple degrees in Jewish law and public policy. He’s also a regular voice in the media and a leader in interfaith and civic engagement. He and his wife Shifra are raising their three kids here in Ottawa – when he’s not giving shiurim, you might find him on the ice, scoring for his hockey team!
Anne Read is the Executive Director of Congregation Machzikei Hadas, working alongside the community to build on its strong foundation and continue its tradition as a vibrant centre of Jewish life in the Nation’s Capital. Anne brings extensive experience in Jewish communal leadership, strategic planning, and nonprofit management. Prior to joining Machzikei Hadas, she served in senior leadership at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Waterloo and has experience in education and community-based research. Anne is the proud parent of Yossi and Eliya, her greatest joys.
Stacy is currently on maternity leave.
Nisan Assouline is a Torah MiTzion shaliach in Ottawa and a member of the community team at Congregation Machzikei Hadas, where he develops and leads programs for families, young professionals, and youth, as well as Torah classes and community events. A graduate of Yeshivat HaGolan and a trained electrical engineer, Nisan worked as an electrical engineer and systems designer before beginning his shlichut, alongside his involvement in education and youth leadership. He also teaches Judaic Studies and Hebrew at the Torah Day School of Ottawa. Nisan is passionate about connecting people with Torah and Israel and bringing the warmth and traditions of Israeli and Sephardic Jewish life to Ottawa.
Renana Assouline is a Torah MiTzion shlicha in Ottawa and an experienced educator with a background in teaching, special education, youth leadership, and community engagement. She holds a degree in Special Education and Tanach from Herzog College and is a graduate of Midreshet Nishmat. Over the years, she has held educational and leadership roles with the Ezra Youth Movement and worked as a classroom teacher at Ach”י School in Tekoa. During her National Service, Renana spent a year on shlichut in Sydney, Australia, teaching Judaic Studies and Hebrew and leading youth and community programs. Today, she continues her work in Jewish and Hebrew education in Ottawa.
Rabbi Binyamin Kleinerman joined Machzikei Hadas in 2026 as a Torah MiTzion shaliach. In Israel, he studied and taught at Yeshivat Shavei Chevron, was involved in Torah education and community life, and has served extensively as an IDF reservist. Together with his wife, Shoham, and their five children, he hopes to share Torah and strengthen the community’s connection to Israel and the Jewish people.
Shoham Kleinerman came to Ottawa with her family as part of their Torah MiTzion shlichut. In Israel, she worked as a nurse in a maternity ward and was actively involved in community life. As a mother of five, Shoham believes deeply in building warm Jewish homes as the foundation for a strong and welcoming Jewish community, connected to Torah and Israel. Shoham is also teaching Hebrew and Judaic Studies at the Torah Day School of Ottawa.
Sari is Youth and Family Programming Coordinator at CMH. Originally from Halifax, Sari moved to Ottawa in 2006. By weekday she’s a genetic counsellor at CHEO, but on Shabbos and Chagmin she’s Morah Sari running Circle Time for the Baby and Toddler Group. She works with NCSY and Torah U’Mitzion to bring exciting, fun and innovative programs ensuring our youth stay engaged in synagogue life. She’s also a mother of three, an avid knitter, an amatuer runner, and the new chorographer for the Dr. Dreidels, one of the world’s premier Synagogues Men’s Dance troupes.
Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka had been the spiritual leader of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa since 1967. In addition to being an accomplished author of more than 30 books and countless articles in the fields of religion, health, and psychology, he was also host of Sunday Night with Rabbi Bulka on CFRA and regular contributor to “Ask the Religion Experts” in the Ottawa Citizen.
A dedicated grass-roots volunteer, Rabbi Bulka was renowned for his tireless commitment to the Ottawa community through service on charitable and civic boards and regular participation in charity events. He had received numerous awards including the prestigious Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award for his exemplary service to the Jewish Community of Ottawa and was the inaugural recipient of Scouts Canada’s National Salute Award. He was cited by Canadian Blood Services for more than 300 blood donations and was actively involved in the promotion of organ donation programs. Rabbi Bulka served as Honorary Chaplain of the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, was the chair of the Trillium Gift of Life Network (responsible for organ and tissue donation in Ontario), and chaired the Hospice Ottawa West campaign.
Rabbi Bulka received his Semikhah (Rabbinic ordination) from the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Rabbinical Seminary, New York, in 1965 and his Ph.D. (concentrating on the Logotherapy of Viktor Frankl) from the University of Ottawa in 1971. He received an honourary Doctor of Laws from Carleton University in 2006 for his community and humanitarian service, and was awarded the “Key to the City” in February, 2010. In June 2013, Rabbi Bulka was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.
In 2015, Rabbi Bulka became Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Machzikei Hadas. Despite his high public profile and many volunteer activities, Rabbi Bulka remained very accessible to his congregants for support, advice or questions. His weekly inspiring sermons, delivered seamlessly without notes, was one of the highlights of Machzikei’s Shabbat service.
In January 2021, Rabbi Bulka announced that he had been diagnosed with late stage cancer of the liver and pancreas and relocated to the New York area to be closer to his extended family. After a brief battle, he passed away on June 27th, 2021, at the age of 77.
