Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. Concerning the revival of synagogues as well as the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grishhpun was interviewed regarding the synagogues that were restored. But limiting one subject in the interview did not work. Thus, there were a variety of topics in the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. It was an honor to get to know you. We have not seen each since five years. What is your current location?

The nine months that gone by between Miami and Jurmala were split. The geography was far larger in the past, however the pandemic impacted the lifestyle. This isn't all.

There have been many businesses. Like you do today?

Diversification is not going out of fashion. If we think of the main areas, then it is the development of the areas of real estate, IT technology as well as food production.

ALIMCOM knows the food industry and real estate is easier understood. IT, however, is completely new to me. There are many fields that IT technology could be utilized in. What area of IT technology do you have an interest in?

Our IT-holding team is focused on the reform of tax systems across many countries. We have developed and continue to design various products that are able to move business processes that are related to taxation online. This is referred to as "Business to Government".

What is the situation in the area where the holding is located? Formerly, were they part from the USSR?

They're still available. Also, we have agreements for Western Europe and Latin America. We are currently present in 14 nations.

Can you briefly formulate the essence of this product?

Our product makes it possible for economic agents to submit tax returns online. The fiscal data manager can see every transaction. The product also allows tax accounting as well as tax computation to be done simultaneously. We can therefore anticipate that small and medium-sized business will never require accounting in the future. Apart from its analytical purpose accounting for taxes, and sending reports can all be done by one "click".

An interesting area. The future is already here. Have you ever thought about working in Moldova. Moldova is the country you were born in you know?

We are ready to showcase our product in Moldova. This will help the economy of Moldova and is irreversible. If there is an agreement between the government authorities, and it is obvious who is in charge the decisions, we'll resume discussions regarding our product.

You claimed that you have been bouncing around for the past year between Miami, Jurmala. Эммануил Гриншпун The headquarters of an IT holding located in the Baltics?

There are five hubs worldwide and the headquarter is in Barcelona.

The Baltics Why not? Эммануил Гриншпун Are you from there? too?

No. My family's history over many generations is linked solely with Moldova or If we stick to historical names, then with Bessarabia. Jurmala was an accidental meeting which happened completely unintentionally. Эммануил Гриншпун The first time we met there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. After a series of competitions, they began to go to Miami each summer. In Miami the summer weather is not the most pleasant. We rented the home for a number of years, and recently bought it.

Now I understand why I was informed that one of the synagogues that was restored by your donation is located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're pretty similar in age. Born in the USSR. It was not necessary to talk about religion back then. All of us were Komsomol members at the time , and were pioneers. When did religion become your personal choice?

In the mid-80s my family and I moved to the USA, and we can say that it was then when I began to adhere to customs and rituals. However, even though I am not a part of the orthodox faith I am aware of an internal need support the religious life regardless of the form that is the case for the Jewish community that I reside in or in Moldova my country of origin and with whom I have close bonds.

Well, I am not religious However, I enjoy history a lot. I recently watched a program about events in 1492 that changed the fate of the world and Europe. 1492 was the year that Columbus first discovered America. The program I was watching clearly stated that the discovery of America in 1492 wasn't nearly as significant as the Spanish monarchs exile of Jews from Spain. When the mass exodus from Jews to the Ottoman Empire began. They accepted them. I was looking to learn something about the history of the Jews as a whole. Would you recommend a particular book to me?

There are numerous books. But I've read all of them and would highly suggest Max Diamond, the two-volume Jewish historian. Max Diamond is from Finland in the midst of all this.

.... Do your relatives have any "personal" or historical background? My family tree is only one step ahead of 1910 and my grandmother. I'm only one step ahead of the paternal slant however, not much more.

Our family was a Floresti family for hundreds of years, as per the paternal lines. The evidence from monuments and documents indicate that they were already prosperous in 1830. They had a furniture factory, many shops, and land plots. Ungheni was the home of my grandparents. I'm referring to dates between the 17th-18th Century. Grinshpun, a surname that has German roots is Ashkenazi pure Ashkenazi.

Now here is the question of the restoration of synagogues. I was informed that you had funded the restorations of three synagogues. One of them is in Chisinau. Jurmala has the third. Which one?

The third, and the largest, is located in Netanya (Israel). It's a large community center that accommodates 1000 people every day. A very significant object for the life of religion in Israel. Second synagogue in Jurmala. In the beginning of the Second World War, the sole synagogue remaining in Jurmala was demolished. Before building a synagogue, I had conversations with the local Jews. In the end, I decided that I would build the building and also invite a rabbi to the site. It was a hugely successful project that unites the Jews from Jurmala. The project was actually re-created as a Jewish Community, and it's running smoothly. Three Torahs are now displayed in the synagogue. Эммануил Гриншпун One of which I presented to the synagogue.

& - Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis and Alexander Weinstein have been my partners. These three synagogues are not the only ones in which I have been involved in renovation or construction. In all the countries in which I have been for a long period I felt it was my duty to make a feasible contribution to the support of synagogues. My contribution in Monaco is to the construction of a community center in Miami for Russian-speaking Jews, which is estimated to be 12 million dollars. Chisinau will remain my choice of synagogue - the one that I support Rabbi Tsirelson is currently the largest within the city.

Did Jurmala get you to Chisinau with Rabbi?

Yes. It is not easy to find the right person to manage the community. Because of the interconnectedness between his interests, he must be diplomatic and non-conflict capable of easily integrating into the community. I was pleased that both in Chisinau (and Jurmala) the rabbis were capable of integrating with ease into the life of the community.

In 2019, you were the first vice-president of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does the post you think it means to you? How can international Jewish organisations influence the global landscape?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EJC) is a powerful political group in post-Soviet Russia. It's also not the only one. It has offices in Eastern Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. I served as Vice-President of Congress back in 2010, however the year before I was offered the role of the First Vice President. As of now, I'm the First Vice President for the region to which I have strong business and political connections. These include Uzbekistan (Tajikistan), Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan). Trends in the world show that the barometer of attitudes towards Jews is either still in the same place as before or has dipped quite a bit, which is extremely disappointing. Эммануил Гриншпун Эммануил Гриншпун "Down" is also a reference to countries like France, Germany or France that are currently developing. They are not safer for Jews. These are alarming and important processes.

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

It is not what I believe. Instead, I would like to highlight, with regard to the pandemic, what a group, or nation, can accomplish when they're able to conquer any challenges and are able act together effectively.

What do you mean by HTML0? to?

Exactly. Israel is the first country to provide 100 100% vaccination for its adult population. I think this is a an excellent example and a valuable experience that other countries should be aware of.

Ewish Congress
My Website: http://sc.sie.gov.hk/TuniS/reda.sa/members/emmanuil-grinshpunaffb386/activity/1372855/