The top spiritual leader of Holland's Jewish community, Chief Rabbi Meir Just, has passed away at the age of 101. The rabbi died on April 9 after a brief hospitalization. 

Rabbi Just was born in Vizhnitz in 1908, son of the gabbai (assistant) of the Vitznitzer Rebbe. He studied in yeshivas in Grosswardein, Vizhnitz and Frankfurt in his youth, and later in a post-graduate rabbinical institute, the Knesia Gedola in Marienbad.

For the past 45 years, Rabbi Just served his community, adjudicating Jewish legalities in the areas of marital and dietary laws. The rabbi was known throughout the world for his ability to balance spirituality with diplomacy.

The country's Organization of Jewish Communities in the Netherlands issued a statement praising Rabbi Just, saying the soft-spoken spiritual leader had given Dutch Judaism “great significance.”

A memorial service will be held to honor Rabbi Just this coming Sabbath in Amsterdam at the Rav Aron Schuster Synagogue.