Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. On the restoration and expansion of synagogues.
Emmanuil Grinshpun's theme for the interview was restoration of synagogues. Эммануил Гриншпун However, it wasn't possible to concentrate on only one issue. There are plenty of subjects to be discussed during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. We're glad to have a conversation with you. We haven't been in contact for at least five or more years. Where are you currently based?

The nine months that have gone by between Miami and Jurmala were split. The geography used to be more extensive, but the flu has significantly affected the way of life. And, by the way, I can not claim that it is only for the worse.

You have always had many businesses. What are you doing you do today?

Diversification hasn’t changed. If we examine the most important areas that are developing, it's technology, real estate and food production.

Эммануил Гриншпун ALIMCOM is an established player in the food and real estate industries. However, IT is still a mystery to me. Эммануил Гриншпун There are many fields that IT technology can be applied to. What are your areas of expertise?

Our IT-holding is focused on re-inforcing the tax system of various nations. We have developed or are developing a range products that aid with the transfer of a range of business processes that are related to taxation, in both online and "real-time". This area is known as "Business to Government".

What are the locations in which the holding operates? Are there any ex- USSR nations?

They're still available. Also, we have contracts for Western Europe and Latin America. We currently operate in 14 countries.

What is the essence of your product?

Our software allows tax professionals to electronically report to the tax authorities. The fiscal data administrator will then be able to see every transaction. Additionally tax accounting and tax calculation are organized in parallel. Therefore, in the future, small- and medium-sized businesses won't need accounting, unless it is for an analytical function. Making payments for taxes and sending reports is done in just one "click".

An interesting subject. The future seems already to be here. Did you ever consider being employed in Moldova? Moldova is your homeland and you could be tempted to try working there.

We are ready to present this product in Moldova. The Moldovan economic system will only benefit from automation. And, in the end, it's an irreversible move. When we are able to establish a clear understanding from the authorities on whom will make the final decisions that will affect the negotiations, we will resume.

Эммануил Гриншпун You've said you've been tossing around throughout the year between Miami and Jurmala. Is this the head office of an IT company based in the Baltics

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

And why then is it that you're from the Baltics? Do you have roots there as well?

No. There is no. Jurmala entered our lives on a whim and very prosaically. The first time we got there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. After winning many competitions and having a great time, they began to travel there every summer. Miami's climate during the summer isn't the most relaxing. We rented for a few years an apartment and we have it today.

Now I know why I was told by my friends that one of the rebuilt synagogues is 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 religion back then. We were all Komsomol members and pioneers. What was the moment when religion became your choice?

My family and I immigrated to the USA in the mid-80s. It is a fact that that was when I started to accept traditions. However, even though I am not a part of the orthodox religion, I feel an inner desire to be a part of the religious life, in whatever way, of the Jewish community I live in and in Moldova my home country, with which I have close ties.

While I'm not religious I am a huge fan of history. Recently, I was intrigued by a show that detailed the events of 1492. They changed the course of Europe and the world. 1492 is my favorite year Columbus was the first to discover America. It was evident in the program that the discovery of America was made in 1492, but not from the Medieval European point of view. This was evident in the show that I watched. When the mass exodus of Jews to the Ottoman Empire began. They were accepted by the Ottoman Empire. I wanted to learn more about the past, culture and achievements of the Jews. Would you recommend a book?

There are numerous books available there, but I've personally read them all and would recommend Max Diamond's double-volume Jewish history. In addition Max Diamond is from Finland.

.... Do we know the family tree of our family? Unfortunately, I only know my grandmother's name and 1910. The paternal side is just one step closer, however not any further.

Эммануил Гриншпун Our family was an Floresti family for a number of hundred of years, according to the paternal lines. The evidence from monuments and documents show that they were already prosperous in 1830. They had a furniture manufacturer as well as a number of shops and land plots. My maternal ancestors also lived in Ungheni. I'm talking about dates between the 17th-18th Century. Grinshpun is a surname which has German roots is Ashkenazi pure Ashkenazi.

This is the subject about the restoration of synagogues. I was told that you financed the reconstruction of three synagogues. One is located in Chisinau and one located in Jurmala. The third one is in Jurmala.

The third largest is in Netanya, Israel. It is a massive community center, where 1000 worshippers gather each day. It is a significant building for the spiritual life of Israel. The second synagogue in Jurmala. The Second World War ended the existence of the town's sole synagogue. Before I made the decision to build an orthodox synagogue, I had talked with a lot of residents Jews. I then decided to build it and invite Rabbis to visit the synagogue. The result was an extremely successful endeavor that brought together the Jews from Jurmala. We actually re-created the Jewish Community and it's functioning successfully. Three Torahs are now displayed in the synagogue. One of which I donated to the synagogue.

And - Chisinau?

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis is one of my collaborators. Alexander Weinstein is another. These synagogues aren't the only ones in my involvement in construction or restoration. I believed it was my responsibility to make every contribution possible in support of synagogues in countries where I've lived for a long duration. In Monaco the largest centre for Russian-speaking Jews has been constructed. My contribution is approximately 12 million dollars. Chisinau will remain my main focus - the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson is now one of the biggest within the city.

Did you also invite Rabbis from Chisinau to join Jurmala?

Yes. It is difficult to find the right rabbi in a community. He should be capable and willing to be integrated into the life of the community, given the multitude of activities. I was pleased that both in Chisinau (and Jurmala) the rabbis were capable of integrating seamlessly into the community.

In the year 2019 you were named vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this role mean to you, and how do international Jewish organizations impact the world?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EJC) is a strong political organization in post-Soviet Russia. It's also not the only one. It has offices throughout Australia, Japan Hong Kong, New Zealand, New Zealand and Eastern Europe. In 2010, I was Vice-President of Congress. In the year prior, I was elected as the First Vice-President. I am now in charge of the area where I have strong political and business ties. These "countries" include Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The world's trends show that the barometer of attitudes toward Jews is in the same place as before or has dipped quite a bit, which is extremely disappointing. Additionally, "down", refers not only to developed countries like the United States, France, Germany and France but also other countries like Belgium and Germany. These countries are not safe for Jews. These are alarming and serious processes for everyone.

Does the pandemic have an impact on the processes?

I'm not sure. Instead, in relation to the pandemic, I would want to highlight the things a society or country can do when they are prepared to meet any challenge and able to act effectively and together.

Could this be the vaccine campaign to Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the first nation in the world to offer 100% vaccination for its adult population. I think this is an important example and lesson that other countries should be able to learn from.

Congress Ewish
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