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.