Irkutsk was established in 1661 as an elite Siberian city for army generals.

Jews settled in Irkutsk in the second half of the 18th century when several families were given permission to open businesses. Later, Jewish cantonist soldiers and high ranking soldiers were allowed to settle there as well.

Jewish community life continues to revolve around the city's 120-year-old synagogue, which suffered severely from a recent fire in August 2004.

In September 2003 Chabad-Lubavitch sent Rabbi Aaron Wagner and his wife to take up permanent posting to Irkutsk to help revive the local Jewish community.