Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The restoration and expansion of synagogues.
Emmanuil Grinshpun discussed the topic of restoring synagogues during their interview. However, limiting the interview to one subject for the interview was not effective. So, there were more questions in the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. It was a pleasure to meet you. We've not seen each others for at least five or more years. Where are you located currently?

The past nine months are divided into Miami and Jurmala. While the geographical region was more extensive in the past, the pandemic has had profound effects on the way that people live. I'm sorry to say it has been for the more severe.

There have been many avenues of business for you. How about today?

Diversification will not go away. If we talk about the major areas of development, this includes the growth of real estate, IT technologies and food production.

The food industry is naturally, ALIMCOM, real estate is also a common topic, however IT is completely new information for me. http://ami.spb.ru/A486/pages/A486-075.html There are a million applications of IT technology. What are you most intrigued by?

The first and most important thing is that our IT-holding company is involved in reforming tax systems in several countries. We have developed and are currently developing a number of tools that allow you to transfer many business processes related to taxation on the internet and in "real time". This segment is called B2G (Business to Government).

But what happens to the region where the holding is based? https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Еврейская_община_Республики_Молдова Ex-countries of USSR

There are contracts in place. But, we do have contracts that are more extensive in Western Europe and Latin America. Our current operations are in 14 countries.

Could we define the product's essence?

Our product makes it possible economic agents to file tax reports online. The fiscal data administrator is able to view each transaction. Additionally, tax accounting and tax calculation is done in parallel. In the future it is possible to state that small and mid-sized businesses do not require accounting.

Эммануил Гриншпун An interesting area. The future is here. Do you want to work in Moldova, or have you thought about it? Moldova is your homeland and you could be tempted to try working there.

We are prepared to present the product in Moldova. The Moldovan economy will gain from this automation. In any event it's unstoppable. We will resume discussions on our product once there is assurance from the authorities.

You claimed that you have been tossing about all year between Miami, Jurmala. Is this the head office of an IT holding based in the Baltics

We have five hubs around the world and headquarters in Barcelona.

The Baltics are not the only reason why? Are you also from there?

No. The history of my family through generations is entwined only with Moldova, or, if we stick to historical names, then with Bessarabia. And Jurmala was introduced to our lives by chance and very formally. Igor Krutoy invited them to the New Wave. This was their first time visiting. After several contests, they started to go to Miami every summer. Miami the weather in summer is not the most pleasant. We rented for several years a property and thus have it now.

Now I understand why you said that one synagogue was in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're almost the same age. We were born in the USSR. It was not necessary to discuss the religion of the time. All of us were Komsomol members and pioneers. When did you first turn to religion?

My family and I immigrated to the USA in mid-80s. We can all say that this was the time I first began to respect the customs of my country. Although I do not believe in orthodoxy, I feel a deep need to support the religion of the Jewish communities in my home country or Moldova. I was born in Moldova and have maintained friendships with them.

Although I am not religious I am a lover of the history of my country. Recently I was watching a documentary on the events of 1492 which changed Europe's fate. 1492 is when Columbus first discovered America. It was also stated in the show I was watching from the point of view of Medieval Europe, the discovery of America in 1492 was not as resonant as the expulsion of Jews from Spain by the Spanish monarchs. The mass exodus of Jews to the Ottoman Empire began, which welcomed the Jews. Here , I'm looking for something about the story of the Jews as a whole. Would you suggest a book?

There are many books. But I've gone through all of them and would highly suggest Max Diamond, the two-volume Jewish historian. By the way Max Diamond is from Finland.

.... Do you feel familiar with the history of your family? Unfortunately, my family tree is just one step further than 1910 and my grandmother. On the paternal side, I am one step further, but no more.

Our family was a part of Floresti for hundreds of years, according to our paternal lineage. There are monuments and evidence that prove they were prosperous up to 1830. Ungheni was also the home of my maternal lineage. I'm referring here to dates from the region of the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun is a surname which comes from German roots. We are pure and straight Ashkenazis and straight from Eastern Europe.

The issue now is the restoration or synagogues. I heard that you funded the restoration of three synagogues. One of them is located in Chisinau. Эммануил Гриншпун Jurmala has the other. And which one?

The third, and it is the largest, is Netanya located in Israel. There are more than 1000 people each day. It is a very important object in the religious life of Israel. The second synagogue in Jurmala. The Second World War ended the existence of the town's sole synagogue. Before I decided on building the Jurmala Synagogue, I had previously spoken to the local Jews. It was a great project that brought together the Jews of Jurmala. In fact the Jewish community was rebuilt and now is functioning in good standing. Three Torahs are in the synagogue. I also gave one Torah to the synagogue.

and Chisinau

Yes. Here , I've worked with two of my friends with two of them - Alexander Bilinkis and Alexander Weinstein. These synagogues aren't the only ones in my involvement in the field of restoration or construction. It was my duty to support the work of synagogues in all countries I've lived in for several years. My contribution is currently being made in Monaco, where a large community center that caters to Russian-speaking Jews is currently being constructed. It is estimated to cost around 12 million dollars. https://www.innov.ru/news/economy/ehmmanuil-grinshpun-o-riga-port-city-kak-investicionnom-proekte/ I don't stop supporting Chisinau and it is going to be the largest synagoguein the world, the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson.

Did Jurmala take you to Chisinau with Rabbi?

Yes. It isn't easy to locate the perfect Rabbi for your congregation. Because of the interconnected and complex interests, he must also be non-conflictual and diplomatic. He must be able to organically join the community. And I am happy that both in Chisinau and Jurmala, the rabbis could integrate so harmoniously into the lives of the community.

You were elected vice-president for the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress in 2019. What does this position mean to you? And how do international Jewish organisations influence global trends globally?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress has been an important political entity in post-Soviet European countries, but it's not the only one. It also has offices in Australia and Japan. In 2010, I was Vice-President of Congress. In the year prior I was elected the First Vice President. As of now, I'm the First Vice President for the region with which I have strong business and political ties. They are Uzbekistan (Tajikistan), Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan). If you examine global trends and the barometer of attitudes toward Jews is either the same or has declined and is extremely unfortunate. "Down" also refers to countries like France, Germany or France that are currently developing. These countries are no longer safe to Jews. These are very important and frightening procedures for us all.

Have these processes been affected by the pandemic?

That is not the way I believe. Regarding the pandemic however I'd like to emphasize how a country or society can be when they're ready for any challenge and are able and willing to work together.

What do you mean by HTML0? to?

Exactly. Israel is the first country in the world to offer 100% vaccination for its adult population. This is an example I think other countries ought to take note of.

ewish Congress
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