Renowned for a warm smile and friendly demeanor, Eitan Cambell a”h (class of 2010) is remembered by his friends, teachers and family as a noble character who was always willing to help a friend or share a joke. His sudden death on Shabbat, July 18, left the community shocked and numbed by the tragic loss of a young and precious life.

During the week of shiva, Eitan’s classmates and family together committed to learn the entire Mishanayot in time for the Shloshim. On Facebook, friends and family also shared the following memories of Eitan.

Zach Cohn: About two months ago, I was working as a waiter for Great Chicago at Eitan’s brother, Yishai’s, Bar Mitzvah with Yair Rudick, one of Eitan’s classmates, and another non-Jewish waitress. Throughout the entire morning and day, Eitan kept walking into the kitchen asking if there was anything he could do to help. He wanted to make sure that his family was happy, and he wanted to help make every one in the kitchen’s life easier. After everyone in the entire building had left, the only ones left were Yair, the waitress and me. Eitan walked into the room and asked if there was anything he could do. We told him to go celebrate with his family, but he wouldn’t leave, insisting that there was something he could do to help. I asked him to show me where the mop was, and he brought me to a little closet with a big puddle of water on the floor and a mop on the other side of the puddle. I thanked Eitan for finding the mop for me, but he wanted to get it out for me. I told him not to, because my clothes were already filthy and it was my job, but Eitan insisted. He spent five minutes working to get the mop and bucket out of the filthy, wet ditch for me. Afterward, we were finally able to convince him to get back to his family. I think this experience shows a lot about Eitan’s character and what was important to him.

Tamar Adina Campbell: Once a week last fall Eitan used to come help me out for an “hour” with my daughter, Chavi. A few times when he came, Chavi had already fallen asleep for her nap. More than once, when he saw that my apartment looked like a tornado had hit it, Eitan just got the vaccum and cleaned my kitchen, living room, and dining room.

Yedidya Weiner:  I have too many memories with Eitan to write them all, so I thought of one memory, which kept coming back to me. For the Arie Crown eighth grade graduation, the boys make a choir to perform for the audience. Eitan, whose voice was far better than mine, and I were picked to to sing a duet. We began the song by Eitan and I singing the following words: Yehi Shem HaShem Mevorach. As I reflected on this memory, I decided to look up where these words came from. I found that it is from a pasuk in Eyov that goes as such: Hashem natan, Hashem lakach, yehi shem Hashem mevorach. G-d gives, G-d takes, may the name of G-d be blessed. The theme of Eyov is the question of "why do good things happen to bad people, and why do bad things happen to good people?" Satan tried everything to make Eyov curse Hashem, but failed with every attempt. Eitan was the type of person who understood that nothing should be taken for granted. He wanted reasons and answers behind what he was doing and never failed to be as respectful as possible. So why did such a horrific tragedy happen to such a tzaddik? He was truly similar to Eyov. Although he had so many struggles throughout his time, he was never quick to anger himself over it, rather he would always look for a reason and answer and would have an understanding of the situation. He never let any obstacle in his life bring him down from his search to comprehend and understand. So as I look back on Eitan, and I sing that one line, yehi shem Hashem mevorach, may the name of G-d be blessed, I see how he, just as Eyov, never took anything for granted. Hashem gives, and Hashem [tragically] takes. May the name of Hashem be blessed.

Chanan Bell: My favorite memory was in the summer about three years ago when I didn't know Eitan as well. For some reason I found myself lying down with my eyes closed in the middle of the McCormick Bike Trail between Howard and Oakton. To my suprise I see Eitan, Josh, Elan, and someone else I don't remember all run over to me going, "Chana Bell! What are you doing in the middle of the Bike Trail?!" Eitan helped me up and we headed off our separate ways soon after, but always since then, literally almost every time I saw Eitan throughout the next three years he would casually bring up his question: what were you doing on the trail? I never remembered why I was lying there, but I'll always remember the concern and curiosity that Eitan retained always. He was, is, one of the greatest and most inspiring people I have ever met, always with a smile and a "hello." I wish I had more time to spend with him, but I wish him the best, and the final peace he deserves, and I know he's in a better place right now. Farewell my friend.

Julie Rusciolelli Campbell:  My favorite memory of my beautiful nephew, Eitan, is how he so warmly treated me each time his Uncle Dave and I visited. I loved our talks and vicious ping pong games, but most of all his nonjudgemental attitude and absolute pure love of life.

Scott Babendir:  I first learned how strong Eitan's charachter was one of the first days of third grade in Rabbi Raitzik's class. I don't remember what the question was anymore, but Rabbi Raitzik went around the room, asking everyone the same yes-or-no question. Even after the rest of the class answered "yes," when Rabbi Raitzik asked Eitan, he didn't conform to the rest of the class and say "yes" just because that's what the smart kids said. He believed in himself, and he thought that it was "no." Rabbi Raitzik was so proud of him, he gave him a dollar bill (which to a third grader was worth at least 10 times that much), the biggest amount he would give out that year. The kicker--Eitan gave it to tzeddakah.

Beth Kirshner Wiesenberg: Eitan participated actively in the discussions that invariably come up in Mishlei class. He had definite opinions on morality and on many halachic issues, and he challenged any answer that he felt wasn't complete or satisfactory. When I would see Eitan nodding in agreement to something I said, I knew that I was doing well. Eitan always said "hello" or "good morning" as he walked into the room and wished me a good day on his way out. I am privileged to have known him this past year.

Fallon Levin:  Whenever I saw Eitan he always would say, "Hello Fallon!" with a genuine smile. Even if he looked like he was in a bad mood he would still have said something nice. He was always an honest person. He was always himself and made others feel comfortable around him. He also had a great sense of humor. On the few occasions that we talked outside of class, he often made remarks that made me laugh.

The last place I saw him was the Israel rally downtown. When I saw him there carrying a sign and chanting with everyone on the street, I could see his strong love of Israel and how proud he was to be a Jew. Eitan has always inspired me with his kindness. Thank you Eitan, for being a great friend!

Michael Gubov:  We did "Bike the Drive" again this year. I remember Eitan and I got to the top of a big hill by McCormick, and Elon and my sister were a ways back. We looked at each other, smiled and started racing down the hill, no words were spoken, we just went all out flying down the hill. He beat me of course, but I'll never forget the smile on his face or the one on mine.

Aliza Cohen:  A couple of nights before his neshama was returned to shamayim Eitan and I had a long talk about what we were going to do after seminary and yeshiva. He had just decided exactly what he was going to do with his life, and we sat down at the park and looked up at the stars. I will never forget that night.