Jews were always a significant presence in Plungyan, accounting
for a large percentage of the village population. In the year
1847, the Jewish community of Plungyan consisted of 2197 Jews;
in 1897 there were 2502 (55% of the total population of the
community); in 1921 there were 2200; in the year 1928, 1815 (44%
of the total) and in 1939, 2500 Jews (43%). Most Jews worked in
the area of trade, but little by little they were pushed out. In
the years 19311935 the number of Jews who had been involved in
the area of trade decreased to 50%. The percentage of Jews who
traded in tobacco decreased from 50% to 25%. Approximately 200
Jewish families engaged in various occupations. The Jews in
Plungyan had six locations in which to pray. The bes medresh
[study/prayer house] was built in the year 1864 by Yankl Geler.
The great Shul [Synagogue] was built in the year 1814. There
were four kloyzn [houses of worship]: Gmiles Chesed, Shamosim,
chaye adam, Di Gele (tailors). In Plungyan in 1908 there was a
yeshiva with 50 stud