Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The restoration of synagogues, and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil grinshpun discussed the preservation and restoration of synagogues. However, it wasn't possible to concentrate on only one topic. There were several topics discussed in the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. Glad to have a chat with you. I don't think we have met for over five years. Are you now based in?

The last nine months were split between Miami, Jurmala and San Francisco. Although the region was more diverse, the consequences of the pandemic have had a massive impact on the way people live. I am sorry to say it has been for the worse.

You've always owned multiple kinds of businesses. Do you feel the same now?

Diversification hasn’t changed. If we think of the major areas of development, this includes the growth of real estate, IT technologies and food production.

ALIMCOM is the industry of food. Real estate is also understandable. But IT is new to me. There are many areas that IT technology can be used in. What do you excel at?

Our primary focus is on IT-holding is involved in reforming tax systems across a variety of countries. We have created or are working on a variety of products to aid in the transfer of a variety business processes that are related to taxation, both online and "real-time". This is known as the B2G (Business to Government) acronym.

But what about the region where the holding is located? The ancestors of the USSR

There are contracts in place. We do however have more contracts in Western Europe and Latin America. Our current operations are in 14 countries.

Could we define the essence or product?

Our software permits economic agents to submit reports online to tax authorities The fiscal data administrator is aware of every transaction. In addition, tax accounting and tax calculation is organized in parallel. Thus, in the future, small and medium-sized enterprises won't require accounting except for its purpose of analysis. Tax payments and the sending of reports can be done with one "click".

It's an interesting topic. The future is now. Have you ever thought about working in Moldova. Moldova is your homeland So you may consider working in the country.

We're willing to show our product to Moldova. https://stmegi.com/posts/61743/evreyskie-lidery-obsudili-v-moldove-voprosy-borby-s-antisemitizmom/ This will be beneficial to the economic development of Moldova and it is irreversible. Now, when there is a sense of clarity among the authorities and it's evident who takes the decision, we will return to the discussions regarding our product.

You said that you were tossing around between Miami (and Jurmala) all year. What is the location of the headquarters of an IT holding in the Baltics?

No, there are five hubs in the world, as well as the headquarter is in Barcelona.

Why you're in the Baltics is that? Are you from there? too?

No. No. Jurmala was a chance meeting that came about completely by chance. The first time we were there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. They started making the trip a regular part of their summer schedule following a series of contests. But the weather in Miami isn't the most pleasant in summer. We rented the house for a number of years, and have now bought the property.

Now I can see the reason why my contribution was used to rebuild one of the synagogues in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're pretty close in age. Born in the USSR. No need to talk about religion at the time. We were all Komsomol members at the time , and were pioneers. What was the first time you came in contact with religion?

In the middle of the 80s My family and I relocated to the USA. It was here where I first became aware of customs. Even though I don't believe in orthodoxy I have a strong desire to be a part of the faith-based life of Jewish communities that I have in my country of birth or Moldova. I was born in Moldova and have maintained close ties to them.

You see, although I am far from being an agnostic, I do have a fascination with history that I really enjoy. I recently watched a program about the events of 1492 that changed the fate of the world and Europe. To me, 1492 was the year that Columbus was the first to discover America. But, I saw clearly in the program the program mentioned the discovery in America in 1492 from Medieval Europe was not as impressive as the Spanish monarchs expulsion of Jews from Spain. The mass exodus of Jews to the Ottoman Empire began, which was acquiescing to them. I was interested in learning more about the past and the culture of the Jews. Do you recommend any books?

There are numerous books available. I've read a lot of them. I recommend Max Diamond, a two-volume Jewish historian. Max Diamond is from Finland, by the way.

Concerning "personal" history .... Do you know your family tree? Unfortunately, my family tree is one step further than 1910 and my mother. I'm only one step ahead of the paternal side however, nothing more.

Our family lived in Floresti for a period of many hundred years in accordance with our paternal lineage. There is documentary evidence and monuments to show that by 1830, they were very prosperous with a furniture factory, several shops, land plots. My maternal ancestors also lived in Ungheni. I'm referring to dates in the region dating back to the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun is the German surname, and we are Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

Here's the question about the maintenance and restoration of synagogues. I have been told that you have financed the restoration of three synagogues. One of them is in Chisinau. Jurmala is the other.

The third, and largest, is in Netanya (Israel). It is a huge community center, where 1000 people a day pray. It is a significant landmark in Israel's religious history. https://eajc.org/о-конгрессе/лидеры/эммануил-гриншпун/ The second Synagogue in Jurmala. At the start of the Second World War, the only synagogue left in Jurmala was demolished. Previously, before making the decision to build a synagogue, i had a conversation frequently with local Jews and, as a result, I decided to fund the building of the synagogue, and also invite Rabbis to the site. It was an enormous success and brought together the Jews from Jurmala. We have actually recreated a Jewish community that is now successfully functioning. Now the synagogue has three Torahs I donated one to the synagogue.

Эммануил Гриншпун and and Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis, Alexander Weinstein and I are currently partners in this project. But these synagogues aren't the only ones I've participated in reconstruction or restoration. It was my obligation to contribute to the support of synagogues throughout the countries I have lived for several years. My contribution is currently being made in Monaco which is where a huge community centre that caters to Russian-speaking Jews is in the process of being constructed. It is estimated that it will cost about 12 million dollars. I do not stop helping Chisinau as well. In the near future, it will be the largest synagogue in the city. Эммануил Гриншпун It is that of Rabbi Tsirelson.

In addition to Jurmala, did you invite an rabbi to Chisinau?

Yes. It's not easy to choose the right person to run the community. He should be prepared and willing to incorporate in the daily life of the community given the multitude of things to do. And I am happy that both in Chisinau and Jurmala the rabbis were able to be so seamlessly integrated into the lives of their community.

In the year 2019 you were elected vice-president for the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this position affect you? How can international Jewish organisations influence the global landscape?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EJC) is a powerful political organisation in Russia post-Soviet. But it's not the only one. It has branches in Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. In 2010 I was Vice-President of Congress. The year before, I was elected First Vice President. In the present, I am accountable for the region in which I have strong political and economic connections. These include Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan. Global trends indicate that attitudes toward Jews is in the same place as previously or has declined and is very depressing. The word "down" refers to countries like France, Germany, France and the United States. These are not safe for Jews. They are important, dangerous process for us all.

Does the pandemic affect these processes somehow?

I'm not sure. In the context of the pandemic I'd like to point out the positive things a country and society can achieve when they're ready for any situation and are able work effectively in tandem.

Could this be the vaccine campaign for Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the first nation in the world that gives 100% vaccination for adults. This is a great example to follow and is something all nations must be aware of.

Ewish Congress https://ru-ru.facebook.com/emmanuil.grinshpun
Here's my website: https://eajc.org/о-конгрессе/лидеры/эммануил-гриншпун/