The first census of the
population in the beginning of the 18th century mentions two Jewish merchants,
and the following censuses showed an increasing Jewish population composed of
merchants, inkeepers, distillers, mead producers, lawyers, and physicians. They played an important
role in the economy of Lendava, owning a local hotel, a few pubs, and stores.
Local Jews also started the first bank in Lendava. A Jewish school opened in
1850 and it was active until
