Temporary ‘safe harbor’
“Menorah,” the familiar granite and bronze sculpture in front of the former Congregation Beth El Synagogue at 330 Ocean Ave. in New London, has been temporarily moved to the Lyman Allyn Art Museum until the congregation relocates to a new location. The synagogue recently closed on the transfer of their longtime building to LEARN, the regional educational service center that operates several magnet schools throughout the region. “Menorah” was sculpted by the late David Smalley of Niantic as a 1994 commission by Rena Linder to commemorate the life of her daughter, Kathryn Linder Ecochard, who succumbed to cancer. Linder arranged for the relocation with the museum, and “Menorah” will occupy hallowed space in the McCourt 9/11 Memorial Garden.