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B eing Jewish always made me my peers, I was “very Jewish,” though to myself I felt like a “normal” Jewish kid. stand out. Growing up in Lewes, Delaware, I was often the only Jewish student in my classes. To
By 2025, I stepped into the role of Executive Vice President, where I continued overseeing the social media strategy and worked to plan and execute events. In the fall of 2025, we saw a massive surge in attendance. As we moved beyond occasional gatherings to implement weekly programming and monthly Shabbat dinners, the momentum became truly palpable. Most importantly, we finally acquired a dedicated room on campus—a physical home for Jewish students at JMU. For years, we had been a nomadic group, meeting in various corners of the student union. Having our own four walls changed everything; it gave us a sense of permanency and pride. As a testament to our incredible growth, JMU Hillel recently embarked on its first- ever Birthright trip. Joined by University of Virginia’s Hillel and two of its experienced staff members, I was able to go on this once-in-a-lifetime journey surrounded by the very community I helped build. Visiting Israel has been a lifelong dream of mine, and sharing it with this specific group made the experience even more meaningful. Standing at the Western Wall and hiking through the desert with my JMU peers was a “full circle” moment. I returned with an even deeper connection to my Jewish identity, and I am already counting the days until I can return.
On the surface, my transition to college was seamless. I was busy, social, and involved. Yet, beneath the surface of my packed schedule, I felt a persistent void. Something was missing. At the time, JMU had a very active Chabad, but the Hillel appeared to be inactive. When I messaged the Hillel Instagram account in August 2022, I was redirected to a Chabad GroupMe. It wasn’t until October that I was invited to a new group chat specifically for Hillel. My memory of freshman year is a bit of a blur, but a few key moments stand out: I tried a Chabad “Lunch and Learn” which didn't quite click for me, but later attended “Mega Shabbat”—a gala-style dinner on campus. I had a blast, made new friends, and began regularly attending Chabad dinners. However, by the spring, I saw the first seeds of a Hillel resurgence taking root. I knew I wanted to be part of creating that community. I stepped into leadership in the summer of 2023, taking over the JMU Hillel Instagram account. After a semester of small events and new faces, we realized the potential for growth and formed our first official board. Throughout 2024, I served as marketing chair, developing our visual brand and social media strategy.
Building the Jewish Home I Was Looking For BY EMILY SIMON FROM WANDERING TO ROOTED:
Judaism was an unassuming yet ever- present part of my family life. It wasn't overwhelming or intense; it was simply a matter-of-fact part of my identity. It was the steady background to my childhood— from Sunday morning Hebrew school to my Bat Mitzvah—grounding me in the knowledge that being Jewish was a core part of what made me special. Yet, while I always understood its importance to my family, it wasn’t until I went away to college that I truly discovered what Judaism meant for me as an individual. In 2022, I graduated from Cape Henlopen High School and headed to James Madison University (JMU). I quickly found my footing socially, making friends in my residence hall and joining CHAARG, a health and wellness club that kept me active and engaged. This photo was taken at one of the first JMU Hillel events Emily attended her freshman year
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The students and staff (and the Israelis) from the JMU and UVA Birthright trip at the Western Wall on January 1st, 2026
Emily after hiking Masada during sunrise Photos provided by Emily Simon
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MARCH 2026 | JEWISH LIVING DELAWARE | ShalomDelaware.org
ShalomDelaware.org | JEWISH LIVING DELAWARE | MARCH 2026
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