As part of the activities of the Dept. for Clarification of Jewish Status at the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, it was agreed with the Lauder Foundation, which provides grants for Jewish students from all over the world studying in the Jewish university in Vienna, the Lauder Business School (LBS), that the Foundation will give grants only to students receiving confirmation from the Rabbinical Centre of Europe.

In case of any doubt concerning the Jewish status of students requesting grants, the Dept. for Clarification of Jewish status will be assisted by the Beth Din Mekor Chaim headed by Rabbi Avraham Dov Levine, known for his experience in this field, and his decision will be accepted by the Lauder Foundation. The research team of the Beth Din will include Rabbi Zalman Plitzensky and Rabbi Alexander Dan.

The Business and Commerce School in Vienna established by the Lauder Foundation is considered a high-class institution, attracting many students. The Lauder Foundation provides assistance for Jewish students, in the form of annual grants. The school’s principal, Rabbi Yishaye Boaz, is responsible for the grants.


The school, where students prepare for degrees (M.A. and B.A.) is recognized by the Austrian Ministry of Education, and operates in cooperation with Bar Ilan University in Israel. Tuition fees are very high, yet hundreds of students from all over the world apply to the school because of its high reputation. But the grants covering tuition fees are given by the Lauder Foundation only to Jews.

Initially, the school was satisfied with a confirmation from the local Rabbi. However, in many cases the Rabbi who confirmed the Jewish status was unknown to them, and they were in doubt if conversion certificates were authentic. The Lauder Foundation came to a decision that the confirmation of Jewish status should be in the hands of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe.

Rabbi Avraham Abba Turetsky approached the Beth Din for Clarification of Jewish status and lineage, headed by Rabbi A.D. Levine, with a request to assist the RCE in investigating each case separately.

The Beth Din agreed to undertake the project which is estimated at 150 files for clarification a year, for students from various European countries, USA and Australia.