Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The revival of synagogues as well as the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grinshpun spoke about the subject of restoration of synagogues in their interview. It was difficult to stick to one issue during the discussion. There were many topics that were discussed in the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. Эммануил Гриншпун We are glad to have a conversation with you. We haven't seen each other for at least five or more years. Where are you based now?

The nine months that passed between Miami and Jurmala were divided. While the geographical space was greater in the past but the pandemic has had a an enormous impact on the way that people live. It is a pity that it has been for the worst.

You've always had multiple types of business. What are you doing you do today?

Diversification isn't changing. The most important areas of development are in the field of IT technology as well as real estate and food production.

ALIMCOM's food industry is ALIMCOM. Real estate may be understood, but it's completely new to me. There are millions of applications of IT technology. What IT-related field do you have an interest in?

Our IT-holdings are involved in the first place with reforms of tax systems across a variety of countries. We have designed and are continuing to develop several products that are able to transfer business processes that relate to taxation online. This is referred to as "Business to Government".

Where are the places where the company operates? https://learngerman.dw.com/ru/молдавские-православные-ортодоксы-надругались-над-символом-еврейской-веры/a-5013335 Are there any ex- USSR nations?

They are there. However, we have more contracts in Western Europe and Latin America. The current number of contracts we have is 14 countries.

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

Our software allows tax professionals to electronically submit their tax returns to tax authorities. The fiscal data administrator then sees the entire transaction. At the same time, tax accounting and tax calculation is organized in parallel. Therefore, in the future, small and medium-sized enterprises won't require accounting except for its analytical function. http://logos.press.md/1374_13_1/ Paying taxes and sending reports are done with just one "click".

A fascinating topic. The future seems already here. Have you considered working in Moldova? It's true, Moldova is your native country...

We are now ready to introduce the product in Moldova, the Moldovan economy will gain from the automation process, and, in any case, this is a permanent process. If there is clarity and consensus with the authorities about who makes the final decisions, we'll resume the negotiations over our product.

You stated that you had been tossing and turning between Miami and Jurmala throughout the year. The Baltics are home to the head office of an IT company.

No, there are five hubs around the globe and our headquarters is in Barcelona.

Why isn't it the Baltics? Are you also from there?

No. My family's history is tied to Moldova for a number of generations. If we continue to use our ancestral names, it is in Bessarabia. And Jurmala came into our lives quite by accident and very formally. It was Igor Krutoy who invited us to New Wave for the first time. They started making it a regular summer trip after a few contests. Эммануил Гриншпун However the climate in Miami isn't the most pleasant in the summer. We rented a house for a few years, therefore we have already acquired it.

Now I know why you told me that the synagogues were located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're almost identical in age. We were born in the USSR. It wasn't necessary to talk about the religion of the time. All of us were Komsomol members as well as pioneers. What was your first experience with religion?

My family and I moved to the USA in the mid-80s. We all can agree that that was when I began to appreciate traditions. While I don't believe in orthodoxy I am aware of a profound need to support the faith-based life of Jewish communities in my own country, or Moldova. I was born in Moldova and have continued friendships with them.

Although I am not religious I am a lover of the history of my country. I was watching a documentary about 1492's events that changed the course of Europe's destiny. For me, 1492 is the year in which Columbus discovered America. But, it was mentioned explicitly in the program that 1492 was the year when Columbus discovered America. When the mass exodus of Jews towards the Ottoman Empire began. They accepted them. I was looking for more details about the background of Jews. Do you recommend any books?

There are a lot of books available. I've read most of them. I recommend Max Diamond, a two-volume Jewish historian. He is Finnish himself.

Concerning "personal" history .... Do you know your family tree? Unfortunately I'm only as old as my mother and 1910. Paternal relatives are just one step closer, however nothing any further.

The paternal line of our family lived in the Floresti region for over a hundred years. Their wealth was evident through a furniture factory, numerous shops , and land plots. The evidence of monuments and documents confirm this assertion. Ungheni was the home of my grandparents. We're talking about dates in the region of the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun is a surname with German roots. This makes us Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

Let's now discuss the revival of synagogues. I heard that you have provided funding for three synagogues' reconstruction. One is located in Chisinau One is located in Jurmala and the third?

The third, and the largest, is in Netanya (Israel). It is a huge community center, where up to 1,000 people pray each day. It is a significant landmark in the history of Israel's religion. The second synagogue was located in Jurmala. In the beginning of the Second World War, the only synagogue that was left in Jurmala was demolished. Before I made the decision to build the Jurmala Synagogue, I had previously spoken to local Jews. It was a success that brought together the Jews from Jurmala. We have actually re-created the Jurmala Jewish community that is operating successfully. Three Torahs now grace the synagogue, one of which I presented to the synagogue.

and and Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis and Alexander Weinstein were my collaborators. They aren't the only ones I have been involved with in restoration or construction. It was my duty to contribute to the support of synagogues throughout the countries that I've been some time. The synagogue I support, Monaco, Miami, is a huge community center for Russian-speaking Jews. The estimated amount is 12 million USD. Chisinau will remain my support - the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson is now one of the biggest in the city.

In addition to Jurmala, did you invite Rabbis to Chisinau?

Yes. It is difficult to find the perfect rabbi within the community. Given the interweaving of concerns, he should be a very calm and peaceful person able to organically enter the daily life of the community. I'm happy to report that both in Chisinau as well as in Jurmala the Rabbis were able to be integrated into the community.

In the year 2019 you were named vice-president at the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this position mean to you, and what do international Jewish organisations influence the world?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is a powerful political organization within the post-Soviet region and not just. It has offices in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I was Vice-President of Congress back in 2010, but in the year prior to that I was offered the post of First Vice President. I now have responsibility for the area where I have strong political and business relations. https://proza.ru/2021/07/14/205 These "countries" include Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The trend in the world is that the attitudes toward Jews are either at the same level or have swung down, which is sad. Эммануил Гриншпун The word "down" refers to nations like France, Germany, France as well as the United States. They are no longer secure for Jews. These are very serious and disturbing processes that affect all of us.

How has the pandemic changed these processes by the way?

This isn't my opinion. In the context of the pandemic, I'd want to highlight what a community or nation can accomplish in the event that they are prepared for any challenges and are capable of working effectively and collectively.

Do you mean the vaccination campaign that is taking place in Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the only country in the world to provide the complete vaccination of its adult population. It is an excellent example I think other countries should take into consideration.

Congress to support the Ewish
Here's my website: https://stmegi.com/posts/61743/evreyskie-lidery-obsudili-v-moldove-voprosy-borby-s-antisemitizmom/