The small Jewish community in Christchurch, New Zealand, is reeling from a massive earthquake last Shabbat.

The tremor did not affect the city's only shul but may have devastated Chabad house, in the worst-affected area. Rabbi Mendel Goldstein, director of Chabad NZ, has not been able to get close to the Chabad house because authorities have sealed the area, fearing after-shocks.

Rabbi Goldstein, whose dining room roof was blown off, went to the city's only shul, Canterbury Hebrew Congregation, just hours after the tremor.

"The shul just finished renovations last Wednesday. Coincidentally the repairs were completed and the shul was virtually unscathed."