Dunedin, New Zealand – or the first time in over seventy years the Dunedin Jewish community has a leader.
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Rabbi Shmuel Kopel together with his wife and children moved to Dunedin from New York. During the late 19th century Dunedin was bustling with Jewish people. There are still many land marks in Dunedin from its Jewish history.
During the twentieth century only a small number of Jews remained in Dunedin, they surprisingly managed to maintain their synagogue without an official leader. An elder of the congregation says “As far as I can recall the last Rabbi was here in 1939.”
Within the last 20 years Dunedin’s Jewish community enjoyed growth from travellers as well as university students and lecturers. The Chabad movement felt the need to help the Dunedin Jewish community.
In their short stay in Dunedin people are well aware of the Rabbi’s presence, locals often stop to ask the Rabbi, what are you?
“Dunedin is a multicultural city” says Rabbi Kopel “there needs to be an outlet for the Jewish heritage as well”.
Rabbi Kopel has made numerous guest appearances including at the Olveston House and the polytechnic nursing school.
Do the orthodox observe 2 days Shabbos??
No, at least not in Auckland. I’ve not visited Dunedin.
That is Wonderful….. The Dunedin community will IY”H grow very high in Yiras Shamayim; Hatzlacha Rabba to Rabbi Shmuel Kopel and family on adjusting to your new neighborhood and building another Bayis Ne’eman Byisroel
For some reason the communities in NZ and Japan observe shabbos on their Saturday, and on the other side of the International Dateline, e.g. in Hawaii the communities also observe shabbos on their local Saturday.
When the Mirrer Yeshiva was in Japan, they sent a shayla to the Chazon Ish zt”l,
who poskened that Shabbos should be observed on Sunday. This would apply
to New Zealand as well.
Dunedin does not have many Jews, maybe a couple of Dozen (who are Jews as defined by Halacha).
But the Jewish Community there is sitting on substantial assets as they have been there since Dunedin was founded 160 something years ago.
To Aussie (#7):
Would you please care to elaborate?
Is this because they ceased to be officialy affiliated to the United Synagogues? If so, who sued them and who won?
People are you missing the point? What difference does it make when they observe Shabbos, as long as it is observed. Thanks to the Rebbe, Z”TL, thanks to Chabad and thanks to Rabbi Kopel for bringing & reestablishing Yiddishkeit to the remotest parts of the world. Your efforts have made life better for ALL Yidden no matter what their affilliation. May H’BH send bountiful blessings to you & your mishpacha and may your efforts be successful for the Yidden of Dunedin and hasten the coming of Moshiach.
where ever there is fun there is always the real thing! whata a cute coincidental slogan!
my favorite: join chabad, see the world! =)
thanks VIN for posting some uplifting news about Judaism’s expansion
Shmueli is my son. I am so proud of him. Way to go Shmueli Ko and Henna Ko and my granddaughter Ko and grandson Ko. Thank you number 9, you’re just fine even though you are not mine.