Lendava is a town and a municipality in Slovenia in the region of Prekmurje. The name of the settlement was changed from Dolnja Lendava to Lendava in 1955. It is close to the border crossing with Hungary at Dolga Vas-Rédics, and Hungarian is one of the official languages of the municipality, along with Slovene.The town is the centre of the Hungarian minority in Slovenia. It is also known for the monumental theater and Hungarian Community Centre designed by the architect Imre Makovecz.DemographicsThe population by native language according to the 2002 census was: Slovene 5,516 (49.47%)Hungarian 4,390 (39.37%)Other Europeans and unknown 1,245 (11.16%)Total 11,151HistoryAlsólendva was a district of the Zala comitat in the Kingdom of Hungary until 1918. It was part of Hungary again from 1941 to 1945.Jewish communityThe 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 1921. The last rabbi in Lendava was Mor Lowy.