Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The restoration and expansion of synagogues.
The subject of the interview with Emmanuil Grinshpun is the revival of synagogues. It was however impossible to keep the conversation focused on a single topic. There were numerous other topics mentioned during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. Thank you for allowing me to chat with you. Эммануил Гриншпун I don't believe we've met for over five years. Where in the world is it that you are currently in?

The nine months that have passed between Miami and Jurmala were divided. While the geographical area was larger in the past, the pandemic has had profound effects on how people live. This isn't all.

You have always had several kinds of business. How about now?

Diversification doesn't seem to be moving forward. If we concentrate on the most important areas then real estate development, IT, and food production are three major areas.

ALIMCOM's food industry is ALIMCOM. Real estate can be understood, however it's a completely new concept to me. There are a million areas for the application of IT technology. What are you specialising in?

Our IT-holding focus is on re-inforcing the tax system of a number countries. We've designed and are continuing to develop a variety of products that are able to transfer business processes related taxation online. This segment is called B2G ("Business to Government").

What is the situation in the area where the holding is located? Are there any former USSR nations?

They are there. But, we do have more contracts in Western Europe and Latin America. We are currently present in 14 nations.

Could you briefly define the essence of this product?

Our software makes it possible economic agents to file tax reports online. The fiscal data administrator can see every transaction. Tax accounting and tax calculation can be performed in parallel. In the near future small and medium-sized businesses do not require accounting. All that's required is an analytical task. It is possible to make tax payments and send out reports in a single click.

An interesting subject. The future is to be here. Have you ever tried working in Moldova? After all, Moldova is your native country...

We are ready to present the product to Moldova. It is our belief that the Moldovan economic system will only gain from the automation. In all likelihood, it will be an irreversible change. Once there is clarity between the authorities and it is obvious who is in charge and who is in charge, we will begin the negotiations regarding our product.

You've said you've been tossing around all year between Miami and Jurmala. The head office of an IT holding is located in the Baltics?

There five hubs across the world and our headquarters in Barcelona.

Why then the Baltics! Are you a native of the Baltics?

No. My family's history over many generations is linked 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. Эммануил Гриншпун This was their first trip to the New Wave. After a few competitions, they started to return every season. Miami has a very hot summer. We rented for a few years an apartment and we have it today.

Now I understand why I was informed that one of the synagogues that was restored with your donations is in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're almost the same age. We were all born in the USSR. There was no need to discuss religion back then. We were all pioneers, and Komsomol members. What was the first time you came in contact with religion?

In the mid-80s, my family and me moved to the USA and it is possible to claim that it was at this time that I started to follow customs and rituals. Even though I am not a part of the Orthodox faith, I feel an inner desire to be a part of the religious life however I can it is, whether in the Jewish community I live in or in Moldova my country of origin, with which I have close connections.

Although I'm far from being an agnostic, I do have a fascination with history that I really enjoy. I was recently watching an documentary on 1492 and how it changed Europe's fate. To me, 1492 was the year that Columbus discovered America. It was apparent on the program that the discovery of America was initiated in 1492 however, not from a Medieval Europe's viewpoint. This was clear in the show that I watched. Эммануил Гриншпун When the departure of Jews began , they were taken to the Ottoman Empire, it accepted the Jews. I was looking for more information on the historical background of Jews. Would you recommend a book that I could go through?

There are many books out there, but I've personally read all of them and highly recommend Max Diamond's two volumes of Jewish history. He's also from Finland.

.... Do we have a family tree of our own? Unfortunately, I don't know much more than my grandmother and 1910. One step further in the paternal lineage but nothing more.

Our family was a part of Floresti for a period of many hundred years in accordance with our paternal lineage. There are numerous monuments and evidence which show that they were rich in 1830. Ungheni was the place where I lived with my grandparents. I'm talking about dates from the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun is a surname with German roots, and we're pure Ashkenazi of Eastern Europe.

Now, let's talk about the restoration of synagogues. I have been told that you have financed the reconstruction of three synagogues. One is located in Chisinau, one is located in Jurmala and the third?

The third, and also the largest is located in Netanya. It is a massive community center where a thousand people a day pray. It is an important landmark in the Israeli religious history. The second synagogue is located in Jurmala. The Second World War ended the existence of the town's sole synagogue. Before deciding to build a synagogue, I spoke extensively with the local Jews and, as a result, I decided to finance the building of the synagogue, and also invite a rabbi there. It was a hugely success project that brought together the Jews from Jurmala. Actually it was the time when the Jewish community was revived and now is in good standing. Three Torahs are at the synagogue. I donated one Torah to the synagogue.

Эммануил Гриншпун and - Chisinau?

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis (left) and Alexander Weinstein (right) have joined me here. These three synagogues weren't the only ones in which I participated in restoration and building. I felt it was my responsibility to contribute to the support for synagogues across the world where I've resided for a considerable period of duration. Therefore, my contribution comes from Monaco, in Miami an enormous community center that is aimed at Russian-speaking Jews is currently being built which is estimated to cost 12 million dollars. I will continue to support Chisinau - it will now be the largest synagoguein the world, the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson.

Эммануил Гриншпун Did Jurmala and Chisinau receive the blessing of a Rabbi?

Yes. Yes. Because of the interconnectedness between his interests, he must be non-conflict and diplomatic, able to naturally enter the community. I am very happy that both in Chisinau and Jurmala the rabbis were able to seamlessly integrate into the lives of their community.

You were elected the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress' first vice-president in 2019. What does this position have to do with you? How will international Jewish organisations influence the global landscape?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EJC) is a powerful political organisation in post-Soviet Russia. However, it's not the only one. It has offices in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I was Vice-President of Congress back in 2010, however the year before I was offered the post of First Vice President. I am now in charge of the areas in which I have strong business and political connections. The three "countries" include Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The general trend is that the attitudes toward Jews are either on the same level, or have swung down, which is painful. "Down" is also often used to mean countries such as the United States, France or Germany. They are not safer for Jews. These are very serious and disturbing events that affect all of us.

Do you think the pandemic is affecting these processes somehow?

It's not just my opinion. Instead, I want to emphasize, in relation to the pandemic: how a community, or a countrycan accomplish when they have the capacity to overcome any challenges and are able to work together.

Do you refer to the Israeli vaccination campaign?

Exactly. Israel is the first nation that offers 100% vaccination for its adult population. It is an excellent example I believe other countries should take into consideration.

Congress ewish
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