Originally the Yehudan Mappila or the Malabari Jews ran a flourishing spice trade in Kerala. The first synagogue was built in Kodungallur (Cranganore) in the 4th century. But when the Paradesi Jews moved to Kochi in the 14th century, a new synagogue was built here. The first synagogue was destroyed in the 16th century during the Portuguese persecution of Jews. The current one is the second synagogue built adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace on the land granted to the Jews by the Raja of Cochin. Jewish Synagogue had three classes of members-White Jews or the Paradesi Jews- descendents from Spain, Portugal and the NetherlandsBlack Jews or the Malabari Jews- the original Jew settlers of Kochi. They were admitted inside the synagogue but weren’t allowed full membership.Meshuchrarim, who were a group of freed slaves. They were only allowed to sit on the floor inside the synagogue or they could only sit on the stairs outside.Today, the synagogue allows all devotees and worshippers but has separate sections for men and women. Although the worshippers are required to enter the synagogue barefoot.