The first Jews appeared in St. Petersburg shortly after its occurrence. These were the descendants of converts, brought by Peter I to participate in the construction of St. Petersburg. Officially, according to the decree of Catherine I, Jews were forbidden to live not only in the capital but also in Russia in general. However, for their own benefit, some Russian rulers also violated their own decrees. Among the Jews who came to St. Petersburg at this time, the most frequent financiers, merchants and doctors. They were mostly wealthy people who had not only households, but also servants. Therefore, in the house where she lived a Jewish family, was almost always a minyan - 10 adult men needed for public prayer.