Growing Together: Building a Continuum of Care for the Next Generation
by Josh Koppel
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‘Giving Back’ is baked into the DNA of Hillel at the University of Delaware students. From community service to campus leadership, Hillel students are leading the way. I spoke with Miles Appleby and Rachel Bruckner—two Jewish student leaders with Hillel at UD—to learn more about their experience in giving back to the Jewish community, UD, and the Delaware community at large.
Rachel, class of 2026—a Human Services major with minors in Cognitive Science, Disability Studies, and Women and Gender Studies—has given back to her communities in several ways throughout her time at UD. Her resume of service work is extensive. She is an Engagement Intern at Hillel at UD, working to bring students to Hillel and provide them with a new community. Furthermore, at Hillel, she has been a member of the Inclusion Committee for Markell’s Freshman Fest, helping freshmen transition into the community. Beyond Jewish life, she participates in Best Buddies, pairing UD students with peers who have disabilities, and volunteers at the Mary Campbell Center where she supports individuals with communication disorders through the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.
Some of her most formative Jewish memories are service-related. “My earliest memories were visiting my friend Selma in the Jewish senior housing facility located next to my JCC preschool.” Her lifelong commitment to service is clear, and Hillel at UD plays a large part.
Shabbat is a cornerstone of her Hillel experience. “My favorite memory at Hillel was my first Shabbat dinner freshman year. I remember looking around and being overcome with a sense of belonging and the feeling of home. I couldn’t stop smiling, as I had the feeling that friendships here would last a lifetime and that I had found my community.” She and those same friends still gather weekly, a tradition that remains the highlight of her week.
Miles, class of 2028, a Political Science major, envisions a future devoted to public service. “I’m passionate about government and public service; my goal is to build a career where I can influence policy and create change on a large scale,” he explained.
At UD, Miles has demonstrated his commitment to service and community involvement. Through Jewish community leadership, event planning, and volunteer opportunities connected to Hillel, he’s found ways to serve his peers and the broader community. Even guiding prospective students and families as a campus tour guide is part of that mission, commenting that “I consider it a form of service, too—sharing my school with prospective students and their families.”
For Miles, the foundation of his Judaism is service to others.
“Judaism has taught me that community and responsibility go hand in hand.” His favorite memory of Hillel at UD, like Rachel’s, centers on Shabbat dinners. “There’s something really special about stepping away from the week and gathering as a community. That sense of belonging that comes with walking through the front door is what first drew me in.” What started as a search for a Jewish home on campus became a place to lead and truly embody the spirit of ‘Giving Back.’
For Rachel and Miles, their commitment to tikkun olam is the modern embodiment of the ancient values of our Sages, in the words of Rabbi Tarfon in Pirkei Avot, “you are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” This commitment to repairing the world feels synonymous with giving back, especially during this season of gratitude. Giving back is not only about service hours or volunteer projects for these students; rather, it is a commitment to the Jewish values that guide them. Their stories show how Jewish life at UD is not only a source of community, but also a source for leadership and a commitment to building a better world.
About the Author:
JOSH KOPPEL is a Senior at the University of Delaware and is currently interning with Hillel at UD on the Development Team.
