Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. On the restoration and expansion of synagogues.
Emmanuil Grinshpun's topic for the interview was the revival of synagogues. It was difficult to stick to one subject during the interview. There were numerous other subjects mentioned during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. Thanks for allowing me to have a chat with you. We haven't been in contact for at least five or more years. Which part of the world are you located now?

The nine months that have been between Miami and Jurmala were divided. The geographical boundaries were much more extensive in the past, however the epidemic impacted people's lives in a significant way. It is a pity that it's been worse.

There have been many avenues of business for you. Do you feel the same way now?

Diversification isn't going anywhere. If we think about the main areas of focus, it's development in real estate, IT technology, as well as food production.

ALIMCOM is the industry of food. Real estate is also easy to comprehend. However, IT is a new concept to me. There are million of uses of IT technology. What do you excel at?

Our IT-holding focuses on reforming tax systems of various countries. We have created and are currently developing a number of tools that allow you to transfer many business processes related to taxation on the internet as well as in "real time". This area is known as "Business to Government".

And what happens to the regions that the holding is located? Ancestors of the USSR

They are also available, but we also have agreements in Western and Eastern Europe as well as Latin America. There are currently operations in 14 countries.

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

Our product makes it possible for economic agents to submit tax returns online. The fiscal data operator can view every transaction. In addition, tax accounting and tax calculation is done in parallel. So in the future, we can say that small and medium-sized firms will no longer require accounting except for its analytical function, and tax reporting and paying taxes are done in only one "click".

A fascinating topic. The future seems already to be here. You have ever considered being employed in Moldova. Moldova is your country of birth you know?

We are now ready to introduce our product to Moldova and the Moldovan economy will gain from such automation, and regardless, this is a permanent process. We will resume negotiations on our product when we receive confirmation from authorities.

You've said that you've been hopping about all year long between Miami and Jurmala. The headquarters of an IT holding in the Baltics?

We have five hubs across the world , and our headquarters is in Barcelona.

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

No. My family's history is tied to Moldova for many generations. If we are to keep our family names from the past, it's with Bessarabia. Эммануил Гриншпун Jurmala came into our lives in an surprising and atypical manner. The first time we got there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. They started to visit Miami every summer, winning numerous competitions. The weather isn't always the best in Miami during the summer. We rented a home for a number of years and are now the owners of it.

Now I understand the reason you mentioned that one synagogue was located in Jurmala. Эммануил Гриншпун Emmanuel, honest question. We're almost the same age. We were born in the USSR. It was not necessary to talk about religion then. All of us were Komsomol members in the early days and pioneers. What was the first time you came in contact with religion?

My family moved to the USA in the mid-80s. In the USA, I began to observe customs and rituals. While I don't adhere to orthodoxy I have a strong desire to be a part of the faith-based life of Jewish communities in my home country or Moldova. I was born in Moldova and have continued close ties with the Jewish communities in Moldova.

It's true that I is not a religious person, but I love the history of my country very much. I recently watched an documentary on 1492 and the way it altered Europe's destiny. 1492 was the year that Columbus first discovered America. Эммануил Гриншпун But, it was mentioned clearly in the program that 1492 was the year when Columbus discovered America. When the exodus of Jews began , they were taken to the Ottoman Empire, it accepted them. I was interested in learning more about the culture and history of the Jews. Would you recommend any book?

There are a lot of books available, but I have read and recommend you a two-volume Jewish historian Max Diamond. Эммануил Гриншпун Max Diamond is from Finland in the midst of all this.

.... Do your family members have an "personal" or historical history? Unfortunately, I have only my grandmother's name and 1910. A step in the paternal lineage, but nothing more.

Our family has been in Floresti for many hundred years from the paternal side. Their wealth was apparent by the presence of an furniture factory, numerous shops and land parcels. Monuments and documentation confirm this assertion. My maternal ancestors also lived in Ungheni. These dates are in the region between the 17th and 18th centuries. Эммануил Гриншпун Grinshpun has a German surname, and we are Ashkenazis of Eastern Europe.

Now, let's talk about the restoration of synagogues. I was told by you that three synagogues were being rebuilt. One is in Chisinau and the other is in Jurmala. The third one is located in Jurmala.

Эммануил Гриншпун It is located in Netanya in Israel. There are more than 1000 people each day. A very significant object for the life of religion in Israel. The second synagogue of Jurmala. It was the time when the Second World War began and the Jurmala synagogue was among the last one to be destroyed. Before I made the decision to build an orthodox church in Jurmala, I had previously spoken to the local Jews. It was a hugely profitable project that united all the Jews in Jurmala. In fact, the Jewish community was rebuilt and is now in good standing. Three Torahs are now displayed in the synagogue, one of which I gave to the synagogue.

And – Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis, Alexander Weinstein and I are currently partners in this project. These three synagogues weren't the only ones where I participated in restoration and construction. It was my responsibility to contribute to the support of synagogues across the world in which that I've been a while. My contribution is currently in Monaco which is where a huge community centre for Russian-speaking Jews is currently being constructed. It is believed that it will cost around 12 million dollars. I'm not stopping supporting Chisinau as it is now going to be the largest synagogue, the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson.

Have you invited Rabbis to Chisinau in addition to Jurmala?

Yes. Yes. He should be able and willing to integrate in the daily life of the community due to the many interests. I was delighted to see that in both Chisinau (and Jurmala) the rabbis were capable of integrating with ease into the life of the community.

You were named the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress' first vice-president in 2019. What does this position mean to you? How do international Jewish organisations influence global trends worldwide?

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 in Eastern Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. In 2010, I was serving as Vice President of Congress. In the year before, I was appointed First Vice President. I now have responsibility for the region in which I have strong business and political relations. The three "countries" include Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. If you look at developments across the globe in the world, the barometer for attitudes towards Jews has either remained the same or has declined and is extremely unfortunate. The word "down" is a reference to nations like France, Germany, France as well as the United States. These countries are no longer safe for Jews. They are dangerous and alarming procedures for us all.

What is the way that the pandemic has changed these processes and how has it affected these?

It's not my opinion. Concerning the pandemic, however I'd prefer to highlight how a country or society can be when they are prepared for any challenge and are willing and able to work in tandem.

Does this represent the vaccination campaign to Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the first country to offer 100 percent vaccination to its entire adult population. It is an excellent example I believe other nations should take into consideration.

Congress Ewish
My Website: https://eajc.org/о-конгрессе/лидеры/эммануил-гриншпун/