The Heart and Soul of Camp Avoda eternally grateful… By this point, the majority of Avodians are aware that Paul Davis had gone away. Nobody, and I mean nobody, liked Avoda more than anyone else. Throughout the years, he established the standards for what our camp ought to be to each and every one of us. One of the most impressive audiences I’ve ever had in my life was Paul.
Throughout the 56 years that we have known each other, we have had a lot of laughter together. Even though there were tears shed (mainly by me!! ), there was always someone there to offer a soothing word and some encouraging words of advise.
I am certain that he was always quite kind to the entire Epstein family, just as he was with each and every one of you. Why Paul was such a wonderful asset to Camp and to everyone who had the opportunity to interact with him is a question that is extremely difficult to solve.
He was the public face of Avoda, and I shall be grateful to him for the rest of my life. I have stated on numerous occasions that Avoda is responsible for a significant portion of who I am.
If it is true, as it is, then Paul Davis is the person I consider to be my true hero in this life! It was not always easy for him, and he was the one who received the brunt of the problems that were brought up by campers, counsellors, parents, and the board of directors.
However, he never wavered in his resolve and always carried himself with dignity, and he never failed to grin, no matter what the circumstances were. In particular, over the most recent few years, when his health was deteriorating.
