Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The restoration of synagogues and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grinshpun's topic during the interview was the revival of synagogues. Эммануил Гриншпун It was however impossible to focus the discussion on one topic. Эммануил Гриншпун Therefore, there are a variety of subjects to discuss in the interview after all.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. We're glad to chat with you. We have not seen each for five years. Where are you currently living?

The past nine months were split into Miami, Jurmala and San Francisco. While the areas were previously more diverse, the impacts of the pandemic have had a huge impact on our lifestyles. I'm sorry to say it has been for the worse.

You have always had many different business lines. What are you doing you?

Diversification seems to be moving forward. If we talk about the main areas, then it is the development of real estate, IT technologies and food production.

Food industry is, naturally, ALIMCOM, real estate is also a common topic, however IT is a completely new concept for me. There are millions of areas that IT technology is utilized. What are you most intrigued by?

Our IT-holding is focused on the reform of tax systems across a variety of countries. We have created or are in the process of developing products that assist with the transfer of a number of business processes that are related to taxation, as well as "real-time". This is referred to as B2G (Business-to-Government).

But what happens to the region in which the holding is based? The former USSR countries

They are still available. We also have agreements in Western Europe as well as Latin America. We currently operate in 14 countries.

Could you briefly define what the main idea behind this product?

Our software allows tax professionals to report electronically to tax authorities. The fiscal data operator then sees every transaction. In addition, tax accounting and tax calculation is done in parallel. Therefore, in the future, we can claim that medium and small businesses will not even need accounting, except for its analytical function, and paying taxes and sending reports can be done with only one "click".

It's an interesting topic. The future is right around the corner. Are you looking to work in Moldova? It's true, Moldova is your native country...

We are prepared to launch this product in Moldova. The Moldovan economy will benefit from automation. And in the end, it's an irreversible step. Once there is clarity between the authorities and it is obvious who is making the decisions and who is in charge, we will begin the negotiations regarding our product.

You've stated that your life was spent traveling from Jurmala to Miami. The Baltics are home to the head office of an IT company.

We have five hubs all over the world and headquarters in Barcelona.

Why not the Baltics? Do you have roots in the Baltics?

No. There is no. Jurmala popped up in our lives by chance but not professionally. The moment Igor Krutoy invited me to the New Wave, it was the first time that we were able to get there. After winning numerous competitions the group began going there every summer. The climate in Miami's summer isn't the most relaxing. We rented the property for a number of years, and have now bought it.

Now I understand the reason you said that the synagogues were in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We are almost identical in age. Born in the USSR. It was not necessary to discuss religiosity then, we were all pioneers and Komsomol members. What was the first time you turned to religion?

My family relocated to the USA in the mid-80s. It was in the US that I began to observe customs and rituals. While I'm not part of the orthodox religion of Christianity, I still feel the need to participate as best I can and to be a part of the life of the Jewish community of the countries I reside in or in Moldova. This is the place I came from and which I've maintained with the closest of connections with.

While I'm not religious, I do love history. I was watching a documentary on 1492 events that changed the course of Europe's destiny. 1492 is to me the year in which Columbus discovered America. However, it was clear in the program 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 the Jews from Spain by the Spanish monarchs. The Ottoman Empire accepted the Jews at the time of the exodus. I am interested in finding out more about the culture and history of the Jews. Would you recommend any of the books?

There are many books available. I've read a lot of them and recommend Max Diamond, a two-volume Jewish historian. Max Diamond is also from Finland.

.... Do we know our family tree? Эммануил Гриншпун Unfortunately, my family tree is only one step ahead of 1910 and my mother. Paternal relatives are just one step closer, however nothing any further.

On the paternal line, our family lived in the Floresti region for over a hundred years. Their wealth was apparent through furniture factories, many shops and land parcels. https://www.gazeta.ru/lifestyle/bozhena/4704053.shtml The evidence of monuments and documents confirm this assertion. Ungheni was the home of my maternal grandparents. I'm talking about dates in the region from the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun can be described as a surname with German roots. Эммануил Гриншпун This is why we are Ashkenazis originating from Eastern Europe.

Here's the question about the maintenance and restoration of synagogues. I heard that you funded the restoration of three synagogues. One is in Chisinau and the other is located in Jurmala and the last?

The third, and the biggest, is located in Netanya in Israel. Netanya is a large community center where a thousand people pray a day. This is an important building for the religious life in Israel. Second synagogue located in Jurmala. In the beginning of the Second World War, the sole synagogue remaining in Jurmala was demolished. Previously, before making the decision to build a synagogue, I talked extensively with the local Jews and consequently, I decided to finance the building of the synagogue, and also invite the rabbi to be there. The result was a very successful project which brought together all the Jews of Jurmala. In fact the Jewish community was re-created and now is in good standing. Now the synagogue has three Torahs I donated one to the synagogue.

and - Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis is one of my collaborators. Alexander Weinstein is another. These three synagogues were not the only ones I was involved in the process of restoration and construction. In every country I have been a resident for a time, I felt it was my responsibility and responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to the support or synagogues. My contribution is currently in Monaco in which a massive community centre that caters to Russian-speaking Jews is in the process of being constructed. It is estimated that it will cost approximately 12 million dollars. I am continuing to support Chisinau. The center will soon be the largest synagogue within the city, the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson.

Did Jurmala get you to Chisinau with Rabbi?

Yes. It is not easy to choose the right person to lead the community. Because of the multiple concerns in the community, the rabbi needs to be non-conflictual and diplomatic and able to integrate seamlessly into the life of the community. It was an honor to see how the rabbis of both Chisinau as well as Jurmala were able to integrate seamlessly into the local community's activities.

In 2019, you were the first vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does the post have to do with YOU? How can international Jewish organizations impact global trends?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EJC) is a powerful political group in Russia post-Soviet. However, it's not the only one. There are offices for it in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand. In 2010 I was Vice-President of Congress. In the year prior, I was elected as the First Vice-President. In the present, I am in charge of the region in which I have historically strong business and political ties which are the "countries", Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan. Global trends indicate that the barometer of attitudes toward Jews is at the same level as previously or has fallen, which is very disappointing. "Down" also refers to nations such as France, Germany or France that are currently developing. These are not suitable for Jews. https://vaadua.org/news/v-ramat-gane-zavershila-svoyu-rabotu-generalnaya-assambleya-eaek They are dangerous and alarming procedures for all of us.

And, by the way Has the pandemic affected the processes?

It's not so. Concerning the pandemic, however, I'd rather emphasize how a country or society could be when they're ready for any challenge and are willing and able to work in tandem.

Do you mean the vaccination program in Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the first country worldwide to offer 100% vaccination of its population of adults. This is an amazing example to follow and something that all countries must be aware of.

Congress Ewish
My Website: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Еврейская_община_Республики_Молдова