KU Chabad has expanded its staff to meet increased demand to support Jewish students this year, bringing on Rabbi Ariel Brudoley as assistant rabbi and engagement intern for the 2024-2025 school year.
Rabbi Brudoley will focus on connecting with students and building relationships with Jewish students this year.
Rabbi Brudoley lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with his wife, Shira, and their two children. He was born and raised in the area in a family with deep roots in the Kansas City Jewish community — his grandparents, Howard and Ro Jacobson, are respected community leaders. Rabbi Brudoley is a graduate of Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
He will join the staff at KU Chabad to boost Jewish life on campus during a time when Jewish students nationally have come under attack and when Jewish pride and practice is at an all-time high in response.
“In the months since the Oct. 7 attacks, Jewish students have made clear to us that what they need is more opportunity for Jewish connection and engagement,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, who directs KU Chabad with his wife, Nechama. “Rabbi Ariel will bring an added dimension of Jewish engagement to the ‘Jewhawk’ community this year, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him.”
When not busy teaching, Rabbi Brudoley enjoys flying drones, playing the drums and playing soccer. He looks forward to spending the year getting to know many of KU’s 1,300 Jewish students.
"For a long time, it has been my dream to work with the students at KU,” Rabbi Brudoley said. “Chabad on Campus is doing work that is so important to the future of the Jewish community. I can't describe how exciting it is to work with such dedicated and selfless people."
Rabbi Brudoley will often table for KU Chabad, creating an accessible way to connect with Jewish resources and mitzvot on the go. He will meet one-on-one with students for study, discussion and conversation, offering a listening ear for whatever students might be going through. He will also visit students when they are under the weather, bringing chicken soup.
This new appointment comes as ground has been broken on the construction of a new 10,000-square-foot KU Chabad center. The center will include spaces dedicated to mental health and wellness, as well as a lounge, library, dining area and commercial kitchen that will enable KU Chabad to expand its kosher food offerings on and off campus.
“We are constantly striving to take Jewish life at KU to the next level,” Nechama Tiechtel said. “That is the driving force behind the construction of the new Chabad House, and it is why we’re so excited to be welcoming Rabbi Ariel to join the team at Chabad.”
