Big Avoda World Podcast

About Big Avoda World Podcast

The BIG AVODA WORLD podcast features Executive Director Ken Shifman and Director Ronni Saltzman Guttin telling tales both memorable and hilarious; talking to Avodians past and present about their Avoda experience and much, much more. Please share and subscribe!

Publisher

pod617

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2019

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

31 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   More on the Avoda Centennial Celebration

   Hosts Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman announce registration for Avoda’s 100th events: the Banquet of the Century on April 10, 2027 at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott (limited to about 350 spots) and Centennial Saturday on June 12 at Camp Avoda during alumni weekend June 11–13. They reminisce about 1980s camp technology and culture (Walkman, Watchman, Wet Bike, computers elective, black-and-white photography, typewritten Evodian, reel-to-reel movies) and welcome guests Nat “Phipsy” Phillips (1974–84), Peter “Glovo” Glovin (1980–87), and Steven “Peasley” Poverman (1983–84), who share bunk 14 stories, camp connections, nicknames, and Color War controversies. The group discusses how modern technology and parent visibility differ from earlier camp independence, names people they hope return for the centennial, and closes with a call to register at campavoda.org/avoda-100 and follow the podcast. Topics 00:00 Centennial Kickoff 00:32 Banquet and Registration 01:39 80s Tech Memories 04:19 Bunk 14 Guests Arrive 04:55 Phipsy Camp Years 05:34 Glovo and Peasley Intros 08:57 Bungalow Cabin Stories 10:45 Who Should Return 15:31 Camp Then vs Now 18:52 Nat and Archery Legend 20:06 Nicknames Hall of Fame 21:19 Bunk 14 Nicknames 21:49 Pee Wee Fenway Story 22:41 Guf Origin Debate 23:21 Peasley Name Lore 24:08 Wheel Of Stories 24:57 Color War Hockey Blowup 27:02 Fuse Gate Play Sabotage 29:34 Nat Flag Rush Glory 32:48 Camp Bonds And Regrets 35:05 Final Thoughts And Reunions 40:55 Bugle And Podcast Wrap

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Bunk 14 Legends and More on Avoda 100

   Hosts Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman welcome listeners back to the Big Avoda World Podcast and preview Camp Avoda’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2027, including the Banquet of the Century on April 10, 2027 at Temple Shirat Hayam in Swampscott, MA, Centennial Saturday at camp on June 12 (10:00–4:00), and an Alumni Weekend June 11–13, with registration to appear on the Avoda 100 website and a mailer forthcoming. They recap a strong summer with high camper numbers, field trips, close Color War, and mostly good weather, then share 1927 trivia. The episode features guests from “Bunk 14” across generations: Barney Horowitz (Avoda 1961–69; Bunk 14 in 1964–65), David Nollman (1958–65; later reconnected and produced Avoda history videos), and current camper Jake (age 10) with his father Derek Wade. They compare past and present camp traditions, music, services, activities like capture the flag/flag rush, Maccabiah-style events, Kosher Cabin, Zoo Ball, and emphasize Avoda’s enduring tradition and alumni connections. Topics 00:44 Centennial Tease 01:42 Summer Recap 02:40 Banquet Details 03:24 Alumni Weekend Plans 04:03 1927 Fun Facts 05:32 Bunk 14 Legends 07:14 Meet Jake and Derek 08:53 Sixties Camp Vibes 10:19 Avoda Video Archives 13:21 Directors Before Paul 14:42 Two Sides of the Sixties 15:46 Camp Music Then Now 15:59 How Kids Listen Today 16:58 Rough Flag Rush Stories 18:10 Structured Camp Days 18:56 Games Names Evolve 20:08 Modern Flag Rush Rules 20:41 Services And Prayerbooks 21:45 Zooball And Camp Creators 22:37 Tradition Across Generations 25:06 Cookouts Tailgates Then Now 26:30 Alma Mater Origins 27:47 Closing Thanks And Traditions

3. 

   21 Aug 2026

   Avoda 100 Plans & Alumni Stories

   Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman preview Camp Avoda’s 100th anniversary celebrations leading into 2027, including summer-long events, the “banquet of the century” on April 10, 2027 at Temple Sharat Hayam in Swampscott, Massachusetts, and Centennial Saturday on June 12, 2027 during alumni weekend. Guests from the 1990s–early 2000s era share camp histories: Greg “Lazzy” Lazaroff (camper 1990, bunk 14 in 1997, SC through 2003), Eric Steiman (camper 1991, bunk 14 in 1996, last year 2001) returning as assistant director in 2026, and Seth Jacobs (joined later, stayed through 2004; waterfront director and head counselor), with a brief appearance by “Adam Sandler.” They discuss athletics traditions, pranks, alumni bonds, and core values like teamwork, competitiveness balanced with friendship, tolerance, acceptance, and celebrating diversity, plus the appeal of reconnecting across generations at the centennial. Topics 01:27 Meet the Guests 02:10 Greg Lazaroff Origins 03:09 All Around Athlete Talk 04:47 Eric Steiman Returns 06:07 Pranks and Camp Mischief 07:18 Adam Sandler Surprise 08:40 Seth Jacobs Camp Journey 11:44 Core Values of Avoda 15:00 Why Eric Came Back 17:07 Looking Ahead to Centennial 18:30 Ronnie Club Stories 21:02 What Alumni Want Most 24:12 Wheel Spin Athletics Stories 26:20 Closing Thanks and Next Decades

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

18 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Big Avoda World Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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