Jews have lived in West Virginia since the 1840s, starting with a community in Wheeling. Many early immigrants were from Germany, and between 1880 and 1920, many Eastern European Jews settled here, often operating retail stores and shaping local economies. Jewish politicians have included Congressman Benjamin Rosenbloom and Justice Fred Caplan.

At its peak, the Jewish population was around 7,000, but today, it’s about 2,300, located mostly in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and Wheeling.