The Jews settled in Molėtai at the beginning of the 18th century when they received the privilege to build a synagogue in town. In the 18th century Jews of Moletai mostly leased inns, which usually stood on the crossroads of the important trade routes. At the end of the 19th century, the Jewish community blossomed, as they constituted more than 80 percent of the town’s total population. Jews remained the ethnic majority in Moletai till the beginning of the Second World War.

The town’s economy mostly relied on Jews, thus the majority of buildings that stood in the central part of the town (Vilniaus and Turgaus streets) belonged to the Jews. In this part of the town, Jewish businessmen had 4 restaurants, various crafts workshops, the Jewish folk bank, and various other Jewish-owned small businesses. The red brick building, which can be seen in Vilnius street, once had about a dozen small shops that belonged to the Jews.

The town’s economy mostly relied on Jews, so the majority of buildings that stood in the central part of the town (Vilniaus and Turgaus streets), belonged to the Jews. In this part of the town, Jewish businessmen had 4 restaurants, various crafts workshops, the Jewish folk bank, and other Jewish-owned small businesses. The red brick building, which can be seen in Vilnius street, once had about a dozen small shops that belonged to the Jews.

Molėtai Jewish community also had 4 prayer houses, 5 Jewish schools, a library, various sports, and cultural organizations.