Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. The revival of synagogues and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Emmanuil Grishhpun talked about the maintenance and restoration of synagogues. The conversation was too narrowly concentrated. There were a variety of topics that were discussed during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you. We haven't seen each other for at least five or more years. Where are you based now?

The past nine months are divided between Miami and Jurmala. Although the geographical area was larger in the past but the pandemic has had a an enormous impact on how people live. But that's not all.

You have always had many businesses. Do you feel the same way now?

Diversification isn't changing. If we talk about the main areas, then this includes the growth of the areas of real estate, IT technology as well as food production.

ALIMCOM is the food industry. Real estate is easily understood. However, IT is a new concept to me. There are millions of possibilities to use IT technology. What are you the best at?

Our IT-holding is involved in the first place by tax reforms across a variety of countries. We've designed and continue to design various products that can be used to move business processes that are related to taxation online. This segment is called "Business to Government".

What are the locations in which the company operates? The ancestors of the USSR

They exist. We have contracts in Western, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. We are currently operating across 14 countries.

Could you briefly define the basic idea behind this product?

Our software allows tax professionals to report electronically to tax authorities. The fiscal data operator will then be able to see all transactions. Tax accounting and tax calculation can be performed simultaneously. In the near future small and medium-sized businesses do not require accounting. All that's needed is an analytical task. You can pay taxes and send reports with just one click.

This is an interesting topic. Have you tried to work in Moldova? Moldova is your home country in the end.

We are ready to present the product to Moldova. The Moldovan economic system will only benefit from automation. And in all likelihood, it will be an irreversible step. When there is a sense of clarity between the authorities and it is obvious who makes the final decisions the decisions, we'll resume the negotiations regarding our product.

You stated that you had been tossing around between Miami and Jurmala all year. Does this represent the headquarters of an IT company based in the Baltics

No, we have five hubs all over the world, and our headquarters is located in Barcelona.

The Baltics, why not? Эммануил Гриншпун Do you have roots there?

No. No. Jurmala came into our lives on a whim and in a very professional manner. The first time we got there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. The group began making the trip a regular part of their summer schedule following a series of contests. But the climate in Miami is not very pleasant during the summer. We rented a home for a number of years and have it now.

Now I understand the reason why my contribution was used to rebuild one of the synagogues located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're nearly the same age. We were born in the USSR. Эммануил Гриншпун The Soviet Union was not the location to discuss religion. We were all pioneers as well as Komsomol participants. When was the first time you began to turn to the religion of your choice?

My family and I emigrated to the USA in the mid-80s. We can all say that's when I started to accept traditions. Эммануил Гриншпун However, even though I'm not a part of the orthodox religion I am aware of an internal desire to support the religion, in whatever way, of the Jewish community I am a part of or in Moldova, my homeland, with which I have close ties.

While I'm far from being religion-based, the subject of history is one I really love. I was watching a documentary on 1492 events which changed the fate of Europe. 1492 was the year that Columbus first discovered America. However, I was able to see in the program that it was mentioned in the discovery in America in 1492 from Medieval Europe was not as striking as the Spanish monarchs' expulsion of Jews from Spain. When the mass exodus from Jews towards the Ottoman Empire began. They were accepted by the Ottoman Empire. I wanted to learn more about the history, culture and achievements of Jews. Would you recommend any book?

There are a lot of books, but I myself have read and recommend you to read a two-volume Jewish historian Max Diamond. By the way the fact that he is himself from Finland.

.... Are you familiar with the history of your family? Unfortunately, I don't know much more than my grandmother and 1910. From the paternal perspective, a step forward, but not more.

Our paternal family lived in Floresti for over 100 years. The evidence from monuments and documents confirm that they were wealthy by the year 1830. They had a furniture factory as well as a number of shops and land plots. Ungheni was also the residence of my maternal grandparents. These dates fall in the the 17th and 18th centuries. Grinshpun is a surname with German roots. We are Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

Let's now discuss the revival of synagogues. I was told by you that three synagogues were being restored. One is in Chisinau and another in Jurmala. The third is in Jurmala.

The third and most important, is located in Netanya (Israel). Эммануил Гриншпун It is home to over 1,000 people who attend prayer each day. It is an important landmark in the history of Israel's religion. Second synagogue in Jurmala. In the beginning of the Second World War, the sole synagogue remaining in Jurmala was demolished. Previously, before taking the decision to build a new synagogue, I talked a lot with the local Jews and that led to the fact that I decided to finance the building of the synagogue, and also invite Rabbis to the site. It was a great project that brought together Jurmala's Jews from Jurmala. The project actually restored the Jewish community and it is operating perfectly. The synagogue has three Torahs. One of the Torahs was given to me.

and - Chisinau

Yes. I've already worked with two of my friends with two of them - Alexander Bilinkis and Alexander Weinstein. But these three synagogues do not represent the only ones that I participated in the reconstruction or building. I believed it was my responsibility to contribute in any country where I've been for a long period to support synagogues. My contribution is currently being made in Monaco which is where a huge community center for Russian-speaking Jews is being built. It is believed that it will cost around 12 million dollars. I do not stop helping Chisinau as well. In the near future, it will be the biggest synagogue in the city. It is the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson.

Also, did you invite Rabbis from Chisinau to join Jurmala?

Yes. Yes. Because of the interconnectedness of his interests, he must be non-conflict-free and diplomatic capable of easily integrating into the community. And it is a great to see that both Jurmala and Chisinau rabbis could be so seamlessly integrated into the community.

You were elected vice-president for the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress in 2019. What does this means to you? And how do international Jewish organisations influence global trends globally?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is a powerful political organization within the post-Soviet region and not just. There are branches of the organization in Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. In 2010, I was serving as the Vice-President of Congress. But, in the year before, I was appointed First Vice President. Now I am responsible to the region where I have strong economic and political ties. These are Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan. The trend in the world is that the attitudes toward Jews are either at the same level, or have been swaying down, which is sad. Also, the word "down" refers to nations like France, Germany, France, and the United States. These countries are no longer safe to Jews. These are worrying and very important procedures.

Эммануил Гриншпун In addition is it possible that the pandemic has had an impact on these processes?

I don't think so. In connection to the pandemic, however, I'd rather emphasize how a country or society can be when they're prepared for any situation and are able and willing to cooperate.

You're referring to the vaccination program in Israel.

Exactly. Israel is the first country to offer 100 100% vaccination for its adult population. I believe that this is an excellent example and a valuable the kind of experience that other countries need to be aware of.

Congress ewish
Here's my website: http://www.alefmagazine.com/news1073.html