A 138-year-old drinking fountain in London’s East End, built in memory of Leonard Montefiore, a Jewish philanthropist and advocate of women’s emancipation in Victorian England, has been

restored by the Heritage of London Trust (HOLT).

The neglected and broken fountain, which provided fresh drinking water to the community of Stepney Green in Tower Hamlets, was saved by HOLT and officially unveiled on Sunday by Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE.

Montefiore, who died at the age of 26 of rheumatic fever, was the nephew of the famous financier Sir Moses Montefiore and counted playwright Oscar Wilde and historian Arnold Toynbee among his friends. He was Secretary of the Society for the Extension of University Teaching in Tower Hamlets, a member of the Jewish Board of Guardians, and a vocal advocate of women’s suffrage.

The drinking fountain was erected in his memory in 1884, five years after his death. It is believed to be Montefiore’s only memorial and an important reminder of the Jewish history of the East End.

The newly renovated fountain will not only provide free drinking water to the local community but also be a learning opportunity for young people from East London, who will visit as part of HOLT’s Proud Places programme to learn about the Jewish history of the area.

The Jewish East End Celebration Society welcomed the restoration of the “important monument”. The unveiling ceremony was followed by talks on the history of the fountain by Prof Michael Berkowitz and Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein over bagels and pastries from Rinkoff’s bakery.

Restoration of historic monuments is important for preserving the cultural heritage and historical memory of communities. It also offers the opportunity for reflection on the values and ideas that have shaped society. The restoration of the Montefiore fountain not only honours the legacy of a remarkable individual who fought for social justice but also serves as a reminder of the important role played by the Jewish community in the history of East London.

The unveiling ceremony, which was attended by Claire Montefiore, the great-great niece of Leonard Montefiore, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the fountain. The newly restored monument is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Heritage of London Trust in preserving the cultural heritage of the city.

As we move forward, it is crucial to continue to support initiatives that preserve the historical memory of our communities and promote values such as social justice, equality, and diversity. The restoration of the Montefiore fountain is a reminder that the past is not a distant memory but a living legacy that we must cherish and preserve for future generations. Photo by Jim Linwood from London, Wikimedia commons.