The town was founded in 1716 and since 1812 was part of Russia. According to the censuses of the Russian Empire, in 1847 there were only about 300 Jews in Călărași, while in 1897 there were already 4,593, which accounted for 89% of all its inhabitants. That is, it is safe to say that Călărași of that time was a typical Jewish town (shtetl), which had its own flavor and traditions. A two-story Chabad synagogue was built in the town. The presence of the second floor indicated that women could also attend the synagogue. Also in the city there were Jewish charitable organizations, a community cemetery, a Chevra Kadisha. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a library in the town, which contained books in Hebrew and Yiddish. There were private schools and gymnasiums for Jewish children, but many wealthy Jews sent their offspring to study in Chișinău.

Călărași Jews were engaged in various crafts and trade. They traded mainly wood, fruit and wine. With the beginning of the 20th century, the demand for small services increased, so the number of Jewish artisans increased rapidly. After the opening of the railway station in Călărași, some Jews began to rent land nearby and build houses there.

The first serious Jewish pogrom took place in 1905. Then many Jewish houses and shops were looted, the Torah scrolls were destroyed in the synagogue, about 60 Jews were killed, and women were subjected to violence. The Jewish community was forced to create self-defense units that opposed the pogromists. After the pogrom, more than 500 Jews emigrated to the United States, Canada and Argentina.

Before the start of First World War, the town had a Jewish hospital, a women's school, and a savings and loan society. At that time, Jews made up approximately 75% of the inhabitants of Călărași.

In 1918 the city became part of Romania. Subsequently, there were attempts of Jewish pogroms in 1924-26, which did not cause any casualties. Several different Jewish parties and organizations were active in Călărași in the 1920s and 30s. In 1940, Călărași became part of the Moldavian SSR, and the Soviet authorities closed the synagogue and Jewish schools.

During the Second World War, the Germans and Romanians killed several thousand Jews in the city.

After the war, a small number of Jews lived in the city, but during periods of mass emigration, most of them left for the West and Israel.

Today, the descendants of the Jews who once lived in Călărași are scattered all over the world, so they can only learn about the Jewish life and legends of this town from the surviving old-timers.