Hartford council donates marble plaque from former Renzulli Academy to Jewish Historical Society

The Hartford Court of Common Council on April 28 approved by unanimous vote a resolution donating a marble slab plaque that was discovered in a city-owned building formerly associated with the Renzulli Academy.

The council’s action, placed on the consent calendar and moved by Jordan Leiter, authorizes the city to donate the marble plaque that lists building committee members involved in the construction of an earlier school built in 1911. A presenter read a city citation noting the plaque had been left behind at 121 Cornwall Street, the site the presenter described as connected to the school’s history.

The Jewish Historical Society said it wants to preserve the plaque and incorporate it into a learning module at the institution now known as the New England Jewish Academy. The citation singled out Gershon Levine, whose name appears on the plaque, and honored Sally Gelb for her family’s connection to the school.

Sally Gelb, who told the council she had discovered an old article in an aunt’s belongings and later learned that a plaque had been found, said the discovery was personal. "For me it’s particularly exciting," she said, adding that her children and grandchildren had attended the school and that she had once served as president of the school's women's group.

Jordan Leiter moved to place the donation on the consent calendar; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

The city will transfer physical custody of the plaque to the Jewish Historical Society; the resolution places no additional conditions on the donation, and no funding or restoration plan was specified at the meeting.