Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. On the restoration of synagogues as well as the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grinshpun and her co-hosts discussed the issue of restoration of synagogues in their interview. Эммануил Гриншпун It was, however, impossible to stay focused on just one issue. There are many topics to talk about during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. I am glad to chat with you. I don't think we've seen each other in over five years. Where in the world is your current location?

The past nine months were divided between Miami (Miami) and Jurmala (Jurmala). While the geographical space was greater in the past however, the pandemic is having a an enormous impact on how people live. It is a pity that it has been for the more severe.

You have always had many businesses. You do now?

Diversification won't stop. If we look at the key areas, then it's development in real estate, IT technology, and food manufacturing.

ALIMCOM's food sector is ALIMCOM. Real estate may be understood, but it's completely new to me. There are millions of areas in which IT technology can be used. Эммануил Гриншпун What IT-related field is your passion?

Our IT-holdings are concerned first and foremost with reforms to tax systems in a number of countries. We have developed and continue to develop products that facilitate the transfer of numerous administrative processes that are related to taxation online. This segment is called B2G (Business to Government).

And what happens to the regions in which the holding is operating? Are there any former USSR nations?

There are contracts in place. But, we do have contracts that are more extensive in Western Europe and Latin America. We currently have activities across 14 countries.

Please briefly explain the concept and the reason behind the product.

Our solution permits economic agents to submit reports to tax authorities online, and the fiscal data operator sees every transaction. Tax calculation and tax accounting are managed simultaneously. In the future small and medium-sized enterprises do not require accounting. All that's needed is an analytical task. It's possible to pay taxes and send reports with a single click.

It's an interesting topic. The future is right around the corner. Have you considered working in Moldova? Moldova is your country of origin So you may consider working there.

We are ready to present our product to Moldova and the Moldovan economy will gain from the automation process, and, in any case, this is an irreversible process. When we know the details from the authorities on whom will make the final decisions and when, negotiations on the product can begin.

You claimed that you have been tossing about all year between Miami, Jurmala. The headquarters of an IT holding located in the Baltics?

There are five hubs worldwide and the headquarters is located in Barcelona.

Then why the Baltics? Are you also a part of the Baltics?

No. The history of my family through generations is entwined to Moldova, or in the case of historical names, then Bessarabia. And Jurmala was introduced to our lives quite by accident and in a very professional manner. The first time we were there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. After winning numerous competitions and having a great time, they began to travel there each summer. Miami's climate during the summer is not the most pleasant. We rented the home for several years and have now purchased it.

Now I know the reason you mentioned that one synagogue was in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're nearly the same age. Born in the USSR. There was no need to discuss religion back then. We were all Komsomol members at the time and pioneers. What was your first experience with religion?

My family relocated to the USA in the mid-80s. It was there that I started to follow customs and rituals. Even though I am not a member of the Orthodox faith, I feel an inner desire to be a part of the religious life regardless of the form it is, whether in the Jewish community I am a part of or in Moldova my country of origin, with which I have close connections.

While I'm far from being an agnostic, I do have a fascination with history that I really love. Эммануил Гриншпун I recently watched a documentary on the events of 1492 which changed the destiny of the world and Europe. 1492 was the year Columbus was the first to discover America. But, I saw clearly in the programme that the program mentioned the discovery of America in 1492 of Medieval Europe was not as remarkable as Spanish monarchs expulsion of Jews from Spain. The Jews were granted acceptance by the Ottoman Empire when the mass exodus started of Jews to the Ottoman Empire. I wanted to learn more about the past, culture and achievements of the Jews. Would you recommend this book?

There are numerous books. But, I've read several of them myself and would recommend Max Diamond (a two-volume Jewish historian). By the way, he is from Finland.

Speaking of "personal" historical .... Are you aware of the genealogy of your family? Unfortunately, I don't have much beyond my grandmother and 1910. From the paternal perspective, a step higher, but nothing more.

Our family was a Floresti family for several hundred of years, based on the paternal lineage. There are numerous monuments and evidence that prove they were prosperous up to 1830. Ungheni was also the residence of my maternal lineage. I'm referring to dates in the 17th-18th centuries. Grinshpun has the German surname, so we are Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

This is the subject regarding the restoration of synagogues. I heard that you have provided funding for three synagogues' reconstruction. One is located in Chisinau; one is in Jurmala The third is?

It is located in Netanya in Israel. It is a massive community center where a thousand people pray a day. It is an important monument for Israel's religious life. Second synagogue located in Jurmala. The sole synagogue in Jurmala was destroyed at the beginning of the Second World War. Before building a synagogue, I spoke with the local Jews. In the end I decided that I would build the building and also invite a rabbi to the site. https://vaadua.org/news/v-ramat-gane-zavershila-svoyu-rabotu-generalnaya-assambleya-eaek It turned out to be a very successful project that brought together the Jews from Jurmala. We actually re-created the Jewish Community, and it's now functioning successfully. Three Torahs now grace the synagogue. One of which I donated to the synagogue.

and - Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis, Alexander Weinstein and I are currently partners in this endeavor. But these synagogues aren't the only ones I've participated in reconstruction or restoration. I felt it was my responsibility to contribute in any country where I've been for a long period to support synagogues. My contribution is currently being made in Monaco which is where a huge community centre for Russian-speaking Jews is being built. It is believed that it will cost approximately 12 million dollars. I'm not stopping supporting Chisinau and it is going to be the largest synagoguein the world, the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson.

In along with Jurmala, did you also invite Rabbis to Chisinau?

Yes. It can be a challenge to identify the ideal Rabbi for your community. Because of the interconnected and complex interests, he must also be non-conflictual and diplomatic. He should be able of integrating into the community. I was pleased that both in Chisinau (and Jurmala) the Rabbis could integrate with ease into the life of the community.

You were elected the first vice-president 2019 of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this role mean to you? How can international Jewish organisations influence the global landscape?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is a significant political organisation in the post-Soviet space however, it is not limited to. It has offices throughout Australia, Japan Hong Kong, New Zealand, New Zealand and Eastern Europe. In 2010, I served as Vice President, and was then offered the position of First Vice-President. This time, I'm responsible for the region in which I have historically strong connections to both politics and business These are known as the "countries", Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan. In terms of trends around the world and the world at large, the barometer of attitude toward Jews is either in the same place or, which is very regrettable, has fallen. Additionally, "down", refers not just to countries with developed economies such as the United States, France, Germany and France as well as other countries such as Belgium and Germany. These are not safe for Jews. These are very important and frightening procedures for us all.

Эммануил Гриншпун How has the pandemic changed these processes by the way?

That is not my belief. Rather, in connection with the pandemic, I'd like to once again emphasize what a society or a country can do when they are ready to meet any challenge and able to act effectively and collectively.

You're referring the vaccination campaign in Israel.

Exactly. Israel is the first nation that offers 100% vaccination of its population of adults. I think this is an excellent example and a lesson that other countries could learn from.

Congress for the Ewish
My Website: https://stmegi.com/posts/61743/evreyskie-lidery-obsudili-v-moldove-voprosy-borby-s-antisemitizmom/