The temperature is in the mid-80s right now in New Caledonia. The sun beckons, the sea sparkles, and the Jewish community . . . well, it’s small.

An estimated 250 Jews live in this archipelago in the Southwest Pacific out of a total population of about 268,000. It is the 91st country/territory to have a Chabad center.

Among its newest inhabitants (for now, part-time) are Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries Rabbi Menachem and Bassie Sabbach, who are in the process of moving to the territory to help Jewish residents and tourists connect to their heritage. Right now, they and their two young sons—Eliyahu, 2½, and Shneur Zalman, 4—have been flying in and out for prayer services, programs, classes and holidays until they are permanently situated in Nouméa, the capital and largest city.

The Sabbachs will serve tourists and the estimated 250 Jews who live in this archipelago in the Southwest Pacific out of a total population of about 268,000.

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For Jewish residents there, such as Avital Gangloff, “Chabad is a real joy, a breath of fresh air.”

As she describes in an email: “They arrived with suitcases filled with simchas, with stories of the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory], and an unfailing commitment to serve and be there for every Jewish person they meet. With each passing day, this strengthens our emunah [faith]. And it gives us great relief. Relief because it is not a given for us to be ensured prayer services, even for holidays. It is in this kind of community that one sees the power of Jews gathering together—the possibilities we have when we are one.”

Guy Flak lights the Chanukah menorah .

Gangloff maintains that the cohesiveness has brought something else to New Caledonia.

“Judaism is also about encountering each other in person and sharing time in synagogue together, which we can almost forget in a little community like ours,” she explains. “I cannot say that this or that activity counted for me; I cannot pinpoint a particular event that I enjoyed most. But I can say that everything counts! Knowing that we will not be alone for a Jewish holiday or festive meal or celebration is a blessing.”