Chabad Lubavitch of New Zealand
Chabad-Lubavitch in New Zealand: Chabad houses for Israeli backpackers, relocated from Christchurch to Auckland after the 2011 earthquakes, with a Queenstown house from 2012
| Chabad Lubavitch of New Zealand
| |
|---|---|
| Type | Chabad-Lubavitch emissary operations |
| Founded | Before 2011 (Christchurch); Auckland traveller house 2012 |
| Founder(s) | Mendel Goldstein (director, Chabad of New Zealand) |
| Headquarters | Auckland |
| Area served | New Zealand |
| Key people | Menachem Mendel Hecht; Aharon Elyakim Hacohen |
| Website | chabad.org.nz |
Chabad-Lubavitch in New Zealand grew up around Israeli backpackers. Before 2011, Chabad-Lubavitch of New Zealand, directed by Rabbi Mendel Goldstein (also Menachem Goldstein), had its Chabad house in Christchurch. The 2011 earthquakes led it to relocate.[1] In January 2012 Chabad.org announced a North Island house for Israeli backpackers in Auckland, and a Queenstown house opened on the South Island the same month.[1][2][3] Lubavitch.com now lists Chabad institutions in Auckland and Northland.[4]
Emissaries and centres
| Centre | Emissaries | Address (directory) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chabad of Auckland | Menachem Mendel Hecht and Esther Naomi Hecht | 143 West Tamaki Road, Auckland 1071 | Lubavitch.com |
| Chabad Hebrew NZ | Aharon Elyakim Hacohen and Yael Hacohen | 788 Remuera Road, Auckland 1050 | Lubavitch.com |
| Chabad of Northland | — | 124 Beach Road, postcode 0110 | Lubavitch.com |
| Auckland house for Israeli backpackers (2012) | Levi Yitzchok Sarfati and Shoshanah Sarfati | — | Chabad.org, 2012 |
| Queenstown (2012) | Shmuel Koppel | — | CrownHeights.info, 2012 |
Lubavitch.com files the Northland listing under "Wellington", but postcode 0110 belongs to Whangārei in Northland.[4]
Backpackers and the 2011 earthquakes
The Christchurch earthquake of February 2011 killed more than 180 people, including three Israelis. The Chabad house in Christchurch was later demolished.[3] Many artefacts rescued from it went to the new Auckland house. Chabad.org called Auckland City "a popular destination for thousands of post-army Israelis each year".[1] Mendel Goldstein asked Shmuel Koppel to find a South Island site, and he chose Queenstown. More than 50 people, mostly Israeli backpackers, came to the first Shabbat meal on 13 January 2012.[2][3] Chabad estimated that more than 40,000 Jews visit New Zealand each year. The resident Jewish population was put at about 7,000.[3]
Relations with the state, business and Israel
Funding
In 2012 CrownHeights.info reported that the Queenstown house had "no major benefactor". It thanked donors from Australia and New York.[2]
Controversies
None found in the sources consulted.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 2011 | Christchurch earthquake; Chabad of New Zealand relocates |
| Jan 2012 | Auckland house for Israeli backpackers announced; Queenstown house opens |
| 2026 | Directory lists Chabad of Auckland, Chabad Hebrew NZ and Chabad of Northland |
See also
- Hummus Trail
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to New Zealand
- Chabad Lubavitch of Australia
- Chabad Lubavitch of New Caledonia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Joshua Runyan, "Israeli Backpackers Will Find New Chabad House in Auckland", Chabad.org, 4 January 2012. Chabad-side.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Chabad Opens in Queenstown", CrownHeights.info, January 2012. Chabad-side.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "New Chabad House opens following Christchurch earthquake", St. Louis Jewish Light, January 2012. Press.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lubavitch.com centres directory, New Zealand (Auckland and Northland listings), accessed October 2026. Chabad-side.