Both are commonly found in synagogues.
As Jewish symbols, they are actually more different than they are similar and represent, in a certain way, the duality of the Jewish experience. The Ner Tamid or Everlasting Light, represents God's unwavering presence in the world and the unending light emanating of the Torah. In many ways, the Ner Tamid embodies the religious aspect of Judaism, guiding the Jewish people as God did in the Old Testament (Exodus 13:21). The Magen David or Shield of David, is the emblem that King David supposedly placed on his shield and has become seen as a symbol of the unity of the Jewish people since King David fought on behalf of all of the Children of Israel when he went to battle. This embodies the national spirit of the Jewish people.
Congregation Ner Tamid was created in 1961.
It shouldn't be. Ner Tamid means eternal light.
The most important one is the Star of David (Magen David), but others include the Eternal Flame (Ner Tamid), the Candelabra (Menorah), the Ten Commandment Tablets (Lukhot HaBrit), and the Scrolls of the Pentateuch (Torah).
The Ner Tamid is the continually burning lamp placed before or near the Holy Ark (where the Torah scroll is kept) in a synagogue. It represents the menorah or candle stand which was placed in the Temple in Jerusalem; it also symbolizes the presence of God and the light of God's word in the Torah. "Ner Tamid" translates as 'forever light', or as we would say in English, 'eternal flame'.
"NAYR tah-MEED" (נר תמיד)
The ner tamid, or eternal light, is a reminder of the lamp in the Beis Hamikdash that never went out.
The menorah, in the form of a ner tamid (everlasting light) is a symbol of God's eternal presence.
The cast of Ner Tamid - 2009 includes: Blake Boyd as Paul Owen Robert DiTillio as George Thompson Luca Ellis as Singer Harvey Fisher as Berle Kellie Koppel as Patricia Owen Aarti Mann as Mann, Laura Kevin McCorkle as Richard Conrand
it's called ner tamid (× ×¨ תמיד), pronounced nehr tah-MEED
A ner tamid, also known as a sanctuary lamp, is "is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many denominations of Jewish" worship. "Hanging or standing in front of the ark in every Jewish synagogue, it is meant to represent the menorah of the Temple in Jerusalem as well as the continuously burning fire on the altar of burnt offerings in front of the Temple.[2] It also symbolizes God's eternal presence, and is therefore never extinguished." In the event of a power outage alternate energy sources keep the ner tamid lit.
light of God = Or shel hashem
The Ner Tamid or Eternal Flame is a representation of the eternal flame that existed in the Great Temple in Jerusalem. In that Temple, there were flames on the sacrificial altar that were always burning. This constant light is a symbol of God's constant presence.