one of the pivotal figures in building the synagogue of kolkata was ezekiel judah. ezekiel judah was an esteemed talmudist who led the baghdadi jewish community in kolkata in spiritual matters during his lifetime, building two synagogues. he was a leading indigo merchant who traded in silks and muslins. a descendant of solomon ma’tuk his family name was seen as highly aristocratic amongst iraqi jews.one of his sons by his first wife was a leader of the jews in baghdad. another son conducted a yeshiva in jerusalem founded by ezekiel judah at which ten scholars constantly studied the torah and recited prayers. for a year after ezekiel judah's death, his sons invited scholars from jerusalem, syria and baghdad as well as the poor of calcutta to study the torah.