Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The restoration of synagogues and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grinshpun's theme for the interview was the restoration of synagogues. It was however impossible to keep the conversation focused on just one subject. So, there were more questions in the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. I'm glad to an exchange with you. I don't think we have seen each other in over five years. Which part of the world is it that you are currently in?

The last nine months have been divided into Miami and Jurmala. The geography was far more extensive before, but the pandemic has impacted the living style. I can't say for certain that this is a good thing for anyone.

You've always owned different kinds of businesses. What's next?

Diversification isn't going from the world. If we look at the most important areas, then this is development in the areas of real estate, IT technology as well as food production.

ALIMCOM knows the food industry and real estate is more easily comprehended. IT, however, is totally new to me. There are many possibilities to use IT technology. What is your area of expertise?

Our IT-holding focus is on reforming the tax systems of several countries. We have designed and continue to design various products that can be used to transfer business processes related taxation online. This segment is known as B2G (Business-to-Government).

What is the situation in the area where the holding is located? Эммануил Гриншпун Former countries from the USSR?

They are also available, however we have more agreements to be signed in Western and Eastern Europe as well as Latin America. We currently operate in 14 countries.

Can you briefly explain the basic idea behind this product?

Our solution allows tax agents to report electronically to tax authorities. The fiscal data manager then sees all transactions. Tax calculation and tax accounting can be completed simultaneously. We can therefore anticipate that small and medium-sized business will never require accounting in the future. In addition to its analytical purpose, paying taxes and sending reports can all be done with one "click".

Interesting area. Эммануил Гриншпун The future is already here. Are you considering working in Moldova? Moldova is the country you call home at the end of the day.

We're willing to show our product to Moldova. It will benefit the economy of Moldova and it is irreversible. Once there is clarity between the government authorities, and it is clear who is making the decisions, then we will resume discussions regarding our product.

You claimed that you were tossing between Miami (and Jurmala) all the time. The head office of an IT holding in the Baltics?

No, we have five hubs across the globe and our headquarters is located in Barcelona.

The Baltics Why not? Do you have roots there also?

No. No. Jurmala was an accidental encounter that came about completely by chance. It was Igor Krutoy who invited us to New Wave for the first time. After many competitions they began to return every season. Miami has a very hot summer. We rented the property for a number of years, and then purchased the property.

Now I can see the reason why my contribution was used to restore one of the synagogues in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're almost the same age. We were all born in the USSR. It was not necessary to talk about religiosity then, we were all pioneers, and Komsomol members. When did you turn to religious belief?

In the late 80s, my family and I relocated to the USA and it is possible to say that it was during this time that I began to observe customs and rituals. While I may not be religiously orthodox, I feel the inner urge to support, as best I can, the spiritual lives of the Jewish community in my country of origin or in Moldova.

While I'm not religious myself, I enjoy history immensely. I just watched a program about events in 1492 that changed the course of Europe's destiny. For me, 1492 is the year in which Columbus discovered America. The program I was watching clearly stated that the discovery of America in 1492 was not as significant as Spanish monarchs' expulsion of Jews from Spain. The Ottoman Empire accepted the Jews at the time of the exodus. Here, I was looking for more information on the historical background of Jews as a whole. Would you recommend a good book for me to study?

There are many books. But I've gone through all of them and I would suggest Max Diamond, the two-volume Jewish historian. In addition, he himself comes from Finland.

.... Do we know our family tree? Unfortunately, I do not know much beyond my grandmother and 1910. The paternal side is one step closer, however not any further.

Our family lived in Floresti over many hundred years in accordance with our paternal line. Their wealth was evident by the presence of a furniture factory, numerous shops , and land plots. Monuments and documentation prove this assertion. Ungheni was the home of my maternal grandparents. I'm referring here to dates in the region dating back to the 17th-18th century. Эммануил Гриншпун Grinshpun is a surname derived from German roots. We are straight and pure Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

This is the subject of the restoration of synagogues. Эммануил Гриншпун I was told by you that there were three synagogues being restored. One is in Chisinau and another in Jurmala. The third is located in Jurmala.

The third largest and biggest is located in Netanya, Israel. Netanya is a large community center where a thousand people a day pray. It is a significant symbol of Israel's religious culture. Second synagogue in Jurmala. At the start of the Second World War, the only synagogue left in Jurmala was destroyed. Previously, before deciding to build a synagogue, I talked frequently with local Jews and consequently, I decided to fund the construction of the synagogue and invite a rabbi there. It was a highly profitable project that united all the Jews in Jurmala. Actually it was the time when the Jewish community was re-created and is now in good standing. Эммануил Гриншпун The synagogue now has three Torahs, I gave one of them to the synagogue.

and - Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis, Alexander Weinstein and I are already partners in this endeavor. However, these synagogues do not represent the only ones that I participated in the reconstruction or building. I felt it was my responsibility to contribute in any country where I've been for a long time to help synagogues. This is why my contribution comes from Monaco, in Miami a large community center that is aimed at Russian-speaking Jews is being built which is estimated to cost 12 million dollars. Chisinau is still my favorite city. The synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson is expected to be the largest.

Did Jurmala get you to Chisinau with Rabbi?

Yes. It's not easy to choose the right person to manage the community. He should be able and willing to integrate in the daily life of the community considering the variety of interests. I was pleased to see that in both Chisinau (and Jurmala) the rabbis were capable of integrating seamlessly into the community.

You became the first vice-president in 2019, of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this position mean to you, and what does international Jewish organisations influence global trends?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, a strong organization in the post-Soviet zone is not just a political force. There are branches of the organization that are located in Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. In 2010 I was Vice-President of Congress. But, in the year before I was promoted to First Vice President. I now have responsibility for the regions in which I've been able to establish strong political and business ties. They are Uzbekistan Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Global trends indicate that the barometer of attitudes towards Jews is either still at the same level as previously or has dipped quite a bit, which is extremely disappointing. "Down" is also often used to mean nations like as the United States, France or Germany. They're no longer safe for Jews. These are extremely serious and disturbing events that affect all of us.

Does the pandemic have an impact on these processes?

It's not just my opinion. In fact, in the context of the pandemic I'd like to point out the positive things a country and society can accomplish when they're prepared to face any challenge, and are able work effectively together.

Are you talking about the vaccination campaign that is taking place in Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the world's first country to provide 100% vaccination to its adult population. Эммануил Гриншпун I consider this to be a a worthy example and experience that other countries should take into account.

ewish Congress
Website: http://jewseurasia.org/page16/news14335.html