Dunedin Marks Tisha B’Av

In the nearly two thousand years of Golus, since the destruction of the holy Temple in Jerusalem, how far have the Jewish people traveled?

Dunedin, New Zealand is geographically the furthest place from Jerusalem that has an established Jewish community.

Even more than the geographic distance, the Jews of Dunedin are far from Judaism, as they have very little access to their heritage.

A year ago Rabbi Shmuel Kopel, his wife Henna and their children moved to Dunedin to establish a Chabad House to change this.

“The numbers are few, but every Jew here is worth an entire world,” says Rabbi Kopel. “We are all they have.”

Last year, Rabbi Kopel had difficulty gathering people for Tisha B’Av as many people hadn’t even heard of the day of mourning of the holy Temple. This year, however, people were more educated about the significance of the day.

“I hope that from the furthest Golus we can bring Moshiach closer,” said Rabbi Kopel.

Chabad of Dunedin is generously supported by members of the Australian Jewish community.

Special recognition to Rabbi Yosef Gutnick, Eliezer Kornhouser, Mottel Faiglin and Avremel Raskin.