Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. Concerning the restoration of synagogues as well as the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grinshpun's subject for the interview was the revival of synagogues. It was however impossible to keep the conversation focused on a single topic. There were a variety of topics that were which were discussed during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. It was an honor to get to know you. We haven't been able to see each other in 5 or more years. Эммануил Гриншпун Are you now in?

The past nine months were divided between Miami, Jurmala and San Francisco. The geography was much more extensive in the past, however the pandemic has impacted the way of life. This isn't saying it's only to the negative.

You've always had a variety of business lines. Like right now?

Diversification hasn't gone anywhere. If we look at the most important areas then real estate development, IT, and food production are three major areas.

ALIMCOM is a prominent player in the real estate and food industries. However, IT is a complete mystery to me. There are millions of potential areas for applying IT technology. What are you the best at?

First and foremost, our IT-holding company is involved in reforming tax systems in several countries. We have developed and are developing a range of solutions that assist in transfer a number of business processes related to taxation on the internet and in "real time". This is referred to as "Business to Government".

And what happens to the regions where the holding operates? Are there any ex- USSR nations?

They are also in existence, however we have contracts that are more extensive with Western as well as Eastern Europe and in Latin America. We currently have operations across 14 countries.

Can you describe in a brief manner the core of this product?

Our product allows economic agents to report to tax authorities online, and the fiscal data administrator is aware of every transaction. The software also allows tax accounting and tax computation to be carried out simultaneously. In the near future, we could declare that medium- and small-sized firms will no longer require accounting except for its analytical purpose, and the process of the process of paying taxes and sending out reports are done in one "click".

It's an interesting subject. The future is now. Do you wish to work in Moldova, or have you thought about it? Moldova is your country of origin...

We are ready to present our product to Moldova. The Moldovan economy will benefit from automation. And, in the end, it's an irreversible change. In the near future, once there is a sense of clarity among the authorities and it's certain who is the one making the decisions, we will return to the negotiations about our product.

You've said that you've been hopping around all year between Miami and Jurmala. Are you referring to the head office of an IT company based in the Baltics

Five hubs are located around the world, with our headquarters located in Barcelona.

Why then the Baltics! Do you have roots there also?

No. No. Jurmala was introduced to our lives in a very unexpected and prosaic way. The first time we met there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. They started making the trip a regular part of their summer schedule after a few competitions. However, the weather in Miami is not the best during the summer. We rented a home for a number of years, and now we already own it.

Now I can see the reason my donation was made to rebuild one of the synagogues located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're pretty similar in age. We were born in the USSR. The Soviet Union wasn't the place to talk about religiousity. We were all pioneers and Komsomol participants. What was the moment you began to turn to religious belief?

My family and I moved to the USA in mid-80s. Эммануил Гриншпун It is a fact that's when I began to appreciate the customs of my country. However, even though I am not a member of the orthodox faith I am aware of an internal desire to be a part of the religious life regardless of the form it is, whether in the Jewish community that I reside in, or in Moldova my home country, with which I have close bonds.

While I'm not religion-based, the subject of history is one I really love. Recently, I watched a documentary on the events of 1492 that changed the fate of the world and Europe. 1492 was for me the year Columbus was the year Columbus discovered America. But it was clearly stated in the program I was watching from the perspective of Medieval Europe, the discovery of America in 1492 did not seem as resonant as the expulsion of the Jews from Spain by the Spanish monarchs. When the departure of Jews began to the Ottoman Empire, it accepted them. I was interested in learning more about the past, culture and achievements of Jews. Would you recommend a book for me to study?

There are a lot of books. I've read most of them. I suggest Max Diamond, a two-volume Jewish historian. He is also from Finland.

What is your "personal" background ? Unfortunately, my family tree is one step ahead of 1910 and my maternal grandmother. http://ami.spb.ru/A486/pages/A486-075.html The paternal side is just one step closer, but not more.

Our family was a part of Floresti for several hundred years according to our paternal line. There are numerous monuments and evidence that show they were wealthy by 1830. And my maternal ancestors lived in Ungheni. I am referring to dates between the 17th-18th Century. Grinshpun is an surname that has German roots. This is why we are Ashkenazis straight from Eastern Europe.

Now here is the question about the restoration of synagogues. I was told that you had funded the restorations of three synagogues. One is located in Chisinau One is in Jurmala and the last?

The third, which is also the biggest is located in Netanya. It is a massive community center where 1,000 people pray a day. It is an important item in the spiritual life of Israel. The second synagogue of Jurmala. The Second World War saw the destruction of the sole synagogue in Jurmala. Prior to building a synagogue I spoke with Jurmala's local Jews. In the end I decided to build the building and also invite a rabbi on the site. https://ru.wikinews.org/wiki/Православные_Кишинева_в_Хануку_надругались_над_еврейским_религиозным_символом The synagogue was an excellent success and also brought together the Jews from Jurmala. In fact, the Jewish community was revived and is now functioning in good standing. https://www.ipn.md/ro/investigatsionnyy-analiz-destruktivnykh-politicheskikh-sil-respubliki-moldova-7542_1064658.html Three Torahs now grace the synagogue, one of which I gave to the synagogue.

and - Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis (left) and Alexander Weinstein (right) have joined me in this place. The three synagogues I mentioned were not the only ones where I was involved in restoration and building. In every country that I've lived in for a long period of time, it was my obligation and obligation to contribute an important contribution to the congregations or synagogues. This is why my contribution is in Monaco, in Miami the largest community center that is aimed at Russian-speaking Jews is being built with a value of around 12 million dollars. I continue to assist Chisinau. It will soon become the biggest synagogue within the city, and the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson.

In along with Jurmala, have you invited Rabbis to Chisinau?

Yes. It is not easy to choose the right person to run the community. Due to the many interests in the community, the rabbi needs to be non-conflictual and diplomatic capable of integrating organically into the life of the community. I was pleased to see that in both Chisinau (and Jurmala) the rabbis were capable of integrating so harmoniously into community life.

You were named the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress' first vice-president in 2019. What does this role signify to you? how do international Jewish organisations influence the world?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is an influential political organization in post-Soviet countries, however, it is more than the borders of. There are offices as well in Australia and Japan. In 2010, I served as the Vice-President of Congress. In the year prior, I was appointed First Vice president. I am now responsible for the areas in which I have strong political and business ties. The three "countries" include Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. When you look at the developments across the globe, the barometer on attitudes towards Jews has either remained the same or has declined in a very negative way, which is incredibly sad. Additionally, "down", refers not just to countries with developed economies such as the United States, France, Germany and France but also to other countries like Belgium as well as Germany. They're no longer secure for Jews. These are extremely dangerous and alarming process for all of us.

Do you think the pandemic is affecting these processes somehow?

I don't think so. In the context of the pandemic, I'd like to once again emphasize what a society or a country can do when they are prepared to meet any challenge and competent and work together.

Could this be the vaccine campaign for Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the only country that offers all-inclusive vaccination for its adult population. It is an excellent example that I believe other countries should consider.

Ewish Congress
Website: https://ru.wikinews.org/wiki/Православные_Кишинева_в_Хануку_надругались_над_еврейским_религиозным_символом