RABBI BENJAMIN PERL AND THE PILLAR

For seven years my husband and I served as head leaders with Teen Missions International.  It was during the summer of 1986 that one of our projects found us in London where we lived for 3 months in what is now known as The Pillar Hotel.  

Back in 1986 the property was under the name of Alma Mansions and was owned and operated by Pillar of Fire International.   It was in a state of total degradation and even lacked running water when we arrived.   Our assignment was to begin restoring the property with an end goal to accommodate itinerant missionaries that would evangelize the local Jewish population.   

Main entrance in 1986 under the name of Alma Mansions

Cleaning out one of the rooms to set up a kitchen area in 1986

Our 1986 Teen Missions team in courtyard area waiting for daily work assignments

Clearing debris in backyard

 

Burning rubbish in backyard

Painting in the courtyard

Painting windows in the courtyard

Working in some of the rooms

Courtyard view 1986

Entrance to the Chapel in 1986

Entrance to the building in 1986

Since the Second World War thousands of Jewish people have immigrated to Great Britain making Hendon, and the surrounding areas of Golder’s Green and Finchley, the largest Jewish community in Europe. 

The property in Hendon represented one of The Pillar of Fire’s oldest missions.  Built in 1897 as St Savior's Home for Women, it was taken over by the Pillar of Fire Society in 1925. It was officially registered as a charity in December 1992 however, due to numerous complaints, the trust was dissolved and the status removed in 2002.  Once again the property fell into a state of total decline and remained mostly dormant until 2010.  It was at this point that it was purchased by philanthropist Rabbi Benjamin Eliezer Perl MBE. 

 

Rabbi Benjamin Eliezer Perl MBE

While I was researching locations for a hotel in London, I began thinking it would be fun to re-visit our 1986 project.  I quickly discovered that, not only had the property been purchased, it had been renovated and turned into a "kosher luxury boutique hotel".  Outside of Israel I couldn't imagine there would be many and a google search listed 140 worldwide.  I knew this is where we wanted to stay.

2017 Main Entrance to The Pillar Hotel

2017 Pillar Hotel entrance to Reception Area

2017 Courtyard view from room

2017 View of Chapel entrance

We arrived at The Pillar Hotel prior to the check-in time but found the staff very gracious, allowing us to check-in early.  Our queen-bedded room was on the second floor.   With no elevators, we left our suitcases at the front desk and the staff immediately carried them up, delivering them within minutes.  Once settled in we headed down to the Breakfast/TV room to relax and sample the complimentary array of drinks and finger foods they serve each afternoon and evening. 

Breakfast Offering

Breakfast cereals and bread table

Standard Queen Room with Desk area and complimentary coffee and tea

Our second day in London I had the honor of meeting and interviewing Mr. Perl. 

I had never met, nor heard of him prior to our encounter.  Early during the interview I began to sense the character and passion he had for education.

At the conclusion of the interview Mr. Perl received a phone call from a staff member to advise that Anthony Joshua had checked into the hotel. He politely excused himself and stepped into the courtyard to greet his frequent guest.  

Rabbi Benjamin Perl greeting Anthony Joshua

Within a few short minutes Mr. Perl returned and asked if we knew the young man in the courtyard.  A “No” on our part brought a swift response from Mr. Perl informing us that Anthony Joshua was a British boxer who had won the gold medal in the 2012 Olympic games. Additionally, just two weeks prior he became the World Champion Heavyweight Boxing Champion by a technical knock out over Wladimir Klitschko in the 11^th round. The bout was held at Wembley Stadium in London before a capacity crowd of 95,000. 

Anthony Joshua lives close to The Pillar Hotel and uses the hotel as a semi-home, affording him a respite from the media and avid fans that follow him and his notoriety. 

When Rabbi Perl asked if we would like to meet him my husband Mike jumped at the chance.

We found him to be a very quiet and humble young man. 

Left to Right: Rabbi Benjamin Perl, Anthony Joshua, Mike Sparlin

Having opened 25 schools, I was curious as to why Mr. Perl established The Pillar Hotel instead of transforming the building into another school.   Only after he purchased The Pillar Hotel did he discover that a few individuals had been given permanent occupancy to the building and the contract could not be broken.  Because the British Government will not issue a school permit with individuals living on the premises, converting it into a school was not going to be an option.   Additionally, soon after purchase, the property was listed on the National Heritage List for England  thus making any renovation or new construction extremely difficult due to required extensive reviews and approvals. 

As soon as Mr. Perl purchased the property he spent tens of thousands of dollars to remove over 100 skiffs of garbage and replace the roof, only to be told he would not be given a school permit.  It was at this point that he made the business decision to turn it into a hotel.  His idea has flourished in an area of about 80,000 Jews with his occupancy comprised of about 50% Jewish and 50% from around the world.

In 2017 the Jewish News presented Mr. Perl with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his philanthropic role in enabling thousands of Jewish children in Britain to experience a full-time Jewish education.  Establishing more than 20 Jewish schools, including Yavneh College, Mr. Perl has enabled over 35,000 pupils, representing 65 percent of all Jewish children in the UK, to attend Jewish day schools.

The Jewish Chronicle lists Mr. Perl on their top 100 most influential Jews list and a supporting article commented:  “It says a lot about this Israeli-born businessman who went to a yeshivah, was ordained as a rabbi and is a supporter of the Conservative Party.  He decided to turn to business "because I have been able to achieve more as a businessman than I would ever have done as a rabbi.”” 

Mr. Perl has been bestoyed the honor of MBE, Member of the Order ofthe British Empire, an honor presented by the Queen acknowledging Mr. Perl as a leader of the movement to support Jewish state schools. 

It is very rare for Prince Charles to visit a school but 3 month ago he spent 3 hours touring through one of the Jewish schools opened by Mr. Perl.   

Rabbi Perl has lived in the same house, adjacent to The Pillar Hotel, since 1970.  He reminisced with me his memories from 1986 of listening to the boys and girls from Teen Missions singing each night.  

1986 Teen Missions Team

It was truly an honor to meet and interview Mr. Perl and rest assured, should you ever stay at The Pillar Hotel, you will have a memorable experience. Just remember to keep your eyes open, you very likely will see him strolling the grounds greeting his guests.  

Update 8/19/2018 - Jonathan Cohen has written a fantastic article on The Pillar Hotel on his blog.  Check it out.