News that a change of use application to turn the historic Whitechapel Bell Foundry into a boutique hotel has been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council has prompted us to resurrect this interesting short article by the late Philip Walker z"l, revealing a mysterious Jewish link, from our magazine The Cable, originally published in 2013. To find out more about the plans for this historic site -- and how to register an objection -- go to http://spitalfieldslife.com/2019/02/03/a-bell-themed-boutique-hotel/  See also our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jewisheastendcelebrationsoc/

PHILIP WALKER is puzzled by a mezuzah in Whitechapel

How odd it seemed to spot a mezuzah on the door to the offices of the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

I was in Plumbers Row, adjacent to Fieldgate Street, when I saw that the door leading into the foundry workshop was open and I was able to take the photo of the interior reproduced here. But I also spotted the mezuzah, located just below the number '34' on the door.

The foundry has made many famous bells, including Big Ben and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. It was founded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1570.

It belonged to the Mears family, some of whom occupy the large impressive Victorian tomb in Highgate Cemetery pictured below.

                                          The door to the Bell Foundry, with the mezuzah clearly visible

                                             The interior of the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry

The splendid Victorian tomb at Highgate Cemetery, resting place of members of the Mears family, who owned the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.