Color War

My fondest memory of Eitan was probably when I first got to know him. He was on my Color War team at Camp Avoda when I was in Bunk 14 in 2007. He was 13. We were the Blue Animals, and Eitan certainly played like one. Everyone was nervous on our team because we were playing against a huge kid named Marc Gleason, who was in Eitan's age division. The odds seemed against us, but Eitan absolutely came out of his shell that week. The intensity on his face that I witnessed when seeing him literally shut down Gleason in every single event was unparalleled. In Waterpolo, Eitan excelled and was able to defend Gleason (he doubled Eitan's size I might add) with fortitude, and didn't allow him to score a single goal.

I really got to know him that week too, as he was always a great asset to our team in helping to lead song and play practice. When we were victorious at the end of the week, Eitan was awarded with a highly coveted staff shirt from one of our coaches. I don't know if I've ever seen such a bigger smile from someone. Eitan had really jumped to the forefront of camp activities that week as a fierce competitor and as a leader. After that he would go on to work under me at the waterfront and was always one of the hardest working, and kindest counselors I knew. Eitan was certainly a special guy, and I miss him.