SYDNEY, Australia – A new Chabad House opened in Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island just weeks before the organization’s center in Christchurch is razed following last years’ devastating earthquake.

Rabbi Shmuel Koppel established the new Chabad facility following last February’s earthquake in Christchurch, which claimed more than 180 lives, including three Israelis.

More than 50 people, mostly Israeli backpackers, inaugurated the new building with a Shabbat meal on Jan. 13, said Rabbi Koppel.

“If that is how many came the first Shabbat, [imagine] how many will come next week,” he said.

There are more than 1,000 Jews living on the South Island although Chabad estimates more than 40,000 Jews visit the country annually. There are about 7,000 Jews in New Zealand, mainly in Auckland on the North Island.