Forum

Besides this blog, which people are always welcome to leave comments on, there is now a Google Group for people to comment on anything about the shul that crosses their mind:

Subscribe to Roslyn Synagogue

Email:

Visit this group

Shavuot

Excellent speakers all the way around. They were interesting to listen to, kept us awake in the middle of the night, and taught us.

But...

What does it say that none of the shul members was asked to speak? It's almost as if it was felt that no one in the shul could possibly give a Torah lecture, and that's why a whole bunch of outsiders had to be brought in instead.

I think that there are quite a number of members who could give a devar torah, or summarize a Torah book that they read, etc. In most shuls that's how it's done--the members speak on Shavuot night.

Unfortunately this is a recurring theme in the Roslyn Synagogue--the members are treated like babies. Most are never asked to lead the tefilot, never asked to give a devar torah, etc. If you treat people like they're unable to do something, that's how they'll certainly remain.

Scholar-in-residence

A very enjoyable and informative scholar-in-residence program has passed.

1. When will the next one be? Another year? Or, hopefully, sooner.
2. Who will the speaker be? The last one was from YU, this one was from Roslyn (originally), perhaps the next one could be more than one degree of separation removed from the shul. Of course, there is a shul in Queens whose most recent scholar in residence was their own rabbi, so I guess we are a bit more sophisticated than other places.
3. How many people will attend? The showing was a bit on the light side, to say the least.