From Generation to Generation: Meet Network Connector Mendel Davis and His Family

October 30, 2026 | People in Our Neighborhood

Growing Up Jewish in Baltimore

Baltimore native Mendel Davis grew up immersed in the Orthodox Jewish community. His mother, Gila Elgamil-Davis, whose family has roots in Egypt, worked tirelessly to provide him with a strong Jewish education. He attended Talmudical Academy of Baltimore from kindergarten through twelfth grade and participated in Jewish day and sleepaway camps. He fondly remembers Shabbat afternoons spent playing with neighborhood children while neighbors gathered and socialized.

As a Jew of Color, Mendel was the only Black child in an otherwise white Jewish school. At times, he struggled to feel fully included or treated as an equal.Yet looking back, he recognizes that “there was a real beauty in that immersion.”

Mendel also grew up without his father consistently present. Father-son learning in the Beit Midrash, Friday night Kiddush, and a father’s blessings were cherished traditions in his community. These moments made him especially aware of his father’s absence. Together, these experiences shaped his understanding of belonging and the kind of father he would one day strive to become.

After high school, Mendel continued his yeshiva education at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem, where he spent two years and co-wrote a published Passover Haggadah, Ani Maamin, partly in tribute to his grandmother, who lived in Egypt. He fondly recalls the irony of her family retelling the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt each Passover while still living there themselves!

Upon returning to Baltimore, Mendel earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Baltimore while working full-time, followed by an MBA from the University of Maryland. With a background in banking and wealth management, he now serves as CEO of Nova Insurance Company and is affiliated with Ner Tamid of Baltimore.

L’Dor V’Dor: Passing Down Love, Traditions, and Jewish Values

One of the greatest influences in Mendel’s life has always been his mother.

“Growing up, my mother was everything to me. I was the center of her world, and she sacrificed so much to give me the best life she could.”

Becoming a father has deepened Mendel’s appreciation for those sacrifices. It’s also taught him to approach their evolving relationship with patience, forgiveness, and grace. He strives to extend the same unconditional love she has always shown him.

“And if my mother was everything to me, I don’t know how it’s possible, but she seems to love my daughters even more!” Mendel shares.

Gila continues to play an incredibly loving and active role in Ariella and Ahuva’s lives. She’s always there to prepare meals, babysit at the last minute, host sleepovers, and attend school events.

Among the most meaningful lessons she passed down was the power of bringing people together through food. Growing up, Mendel watched Gila welcome anyone who needed a meal. She made sure everyone left full and often sent guests home with leftovers for the week.

“My mom taught me that sharing food is about more than eating. It’s about care, love, generosity, and belonging.”

Today, Mendel carries that tradition forward by cooking with Ariella and Ahuva. Together, they explore new foods while learning the joy of welcoming and caring for others.

Their family traditions also extend beyond the kitchen. Mendel loves traveling with his daughters, introducing them to new places, cultures, and perspectives. After each vacation, they create a travel vlog, capturing memories the girls love watching together again and again.

Meet Ariella and Ahuva!

For Mendel, fatherhood means being present, creating meaningful experiences, and passing down Jewish traditions. Above all, he wants his daughters to grow up surrounded by love, opportunity, and belonging.

His own childhood experiences inspired Mendel to become what he sometimes calls a “super father,” someone who is deeply involved in his daughters’ lives.

“I believe anyone can become a father, but being a good father takes tremendous work, intention, and commitment,” Mendel explains.

And when it comes to his two daughters, their personalities couldn’t be more different!

Six-year-old Ariella attends Krieger Schechter Day School and is outspoken, energetic, and incredibly social. Mendel describes her as a “social rock star” who loves dancing and being around people.

Four-year-old Ahuva attends Goldsmith Early Childhood Center and is more reserved and meticulous in how she approaches things. She loves gymnastics and a good challenge. Mendel jokingly compares her to the Brain from Pinky and the Brain. If she ever decided to take over the world, he’s confident she’d figure out how!

Building the Village He Wished He’d Had

Mendel’s commitment to creating a loving, supportive environment doesn’t stop with his daughters. He’s equally dedicated to helping other single parents find friendship, resources, and a sense of belonging.

“When I became a single father, I felt that almost everything was missing: community, programming, resources, and a support system,” Mendel explains.

While he found programs geared toward single mothers, there were few opportunities specifically for single dads. Feeling overlooked brought back childhood memories of exclusion, but this time, Mendel had a voice and was determined to advocate for others facing similar challenges.

He reached out to The Associated to explore creating more resources for single parents in Baltimore’s Jewish community. That conversation led to his introduction to The Jewish Connection Network. His personal initiative grew into a partnership that helped him reach more families and develop meaningful programming.

Today, as a Single Dad Parent Connector with The Network, Mendel brings parents together to build friendships, share experiences, exchange advice, and find support.

“People say it takes a village to raise a child. If that is true for a two-parent household, imagine how important the village becomes for a single parent.”

Creating Connections Through Shared Experiences

Sometimes that support means sharing a holiday meal, talking openly about parenting challenges, or having someone to call when life gets difficult. And sometimes, it’s something as practical as learning how to do your daughter’s hair!

Mendel realized his daughters loved having their hair done, but he didn’t know how to style children’s hair. So, he organized a workshop with professional hairstylists. Parents learned everything from everyday techniques to more sophisticated styles. Single fathers, single mothers, and couples attended. What started as a practical parenting need became an opportunity to learn, connect, and support one another.

“When you’re a single parent, family dynamics can change, and some of those wholesome family moments can be difficult to recreate. Yet there we were, creating them together in a different way.”

Helping Single Parents Find Their People

Above all, Mendel wants every father who joins the group or attends an event to leave knowing he isn’t alone.

“I want him to have a friend, an ally, a support system, and knowledge of the resources available as he enters this new chapter of life.”

A Legacy of Love, Intention, and Belonging

When Mendel thinks about what he hopes Ariella and Ahuva will remember about their childhood, he hopes they’ll recognize the effort, sacrifices, and intentionality that went into giving them the best upbringing possible.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that family isn’t defined by how perfectly it fits a traditional mold. It’s defined by the love, effort, and intentionality we put into the relationships that matter most.”

Mendel recognizes that his life hasn’t always followed the path he imagined. But he also believes that some of our greatest challenges can become opportunities to grow, create, and make a difference.

“I can’t change every experience I’ve had, but I can choose what I do with those experiences. I can choose to be the father I always wanted, build the community I wish I’d had, and give my daughters a childhood filled with love, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.”

From the Jewish education and values his mother worked so hard to provide, to the meaningful Jewish life he’s creating for his daughters, to the relationships he’s helping build throughout Baltimore’s Jewish community, Mendel’s story is a beautiful reflection of L’Dor V’Dor.

It’s a reminder that the most meaningful legacies aren’t simply the traditions we inherit, but the love, values, and sense of belonging we choose to pass from one generation to the next.