Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. On the restoration and expansion of synagogues.
Emmanuil Grinshpun's theme for the interview was the restoration of synagogues. It was, however, impossible to stay focused on just one topic. There were many topics which were discussed in the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. I'm happy to the opportunity to talk to you. https://pk.uchet.kz/c/bin/111240007613/ I don't think we have seen each other in over five years. What is your current location?

The nine months that have gone by between Miami and Jurmala were divided. The boundaries of geography were wider in the past but the pandemic impacted the lives of people greatly. It is a pity that it has been for the worst.

You have always had several kinds of business. Do you feel the same now?

Diversification doesn't seem to be going anywhere. If we think about the key areas, then it's the development of real estate as well as IT technology and food manufacturing.

ALIMCOM is an expert in the field of food and real estate is easier comprehended. IT however, is totally new to me. There are a myriad of fields in which IT technology can be used. What area of IT technology is your passion?

Our IT-holdings are involved with tax reforms, but first, by tax reforms in a number of countries. We have created and are currently working on products that let you transfer many business processes related to online taxation. This area is known as "Business to Government".

But what happens to the area in which the holding is located? Are there any former USSR countries?

There are contracts in place. However, we have more contracts in Western Europe as well as Latin America. At present, we are operating in 14 countries.

Эммануил Гриншпун What's the core of your product?

Our software makes it possible for economic agents to submit tax reports online. The fiscal data administrator is able to view each transaction. Tax calculation and tax accounting can both be done in parallel. Therefore, we can expect that smaller and medium-sized business will not require accounting in the future. Apart from its analytical function accounting for taxes, and sending reports are all done in one "click".

Interesting area. The future is here. Are you interested in working in Moldova? Эммануил Гриншпун Moldova is your country of origin, after all.

We are now ready to introduce our product to Moldova and the Moldovan economy will gain from this automation. And regardless, it is an irreversible process. We will restart negotiations regarding our product once there is assurance from the authorities.

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

No, there are five hubs around the world and the headquarters in Barcelona.

Why then the Baltics? Are you also rooted there?

No. There is no. Jurmala was introduced to our lives in a very surprising and atypical manner. When Igor Krutoy invited me to the New Wave in Miami, it was the first time that we could get there. After winning many contests the group began going there each summer. Miami's climate during the summer isn't the most relaxing. We rented a property over a period of time and we have it.

Now I can see the reason my donation was made to rebuild one of the synagogues located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're about identical in age. We were born in the USSR. We were all Komsomol members and pioneers in the past. What was the moment when religion became your choice?

In the mid-80s my family and I moved to the USA, and we can say that it was then when I began to adhere to customs and rituals. Although I'm not religiously orthodox, I feel the urge to help the best I can, the religious lives of the Jewish community in my country of origin or in Moldova.

Эммануил Гриншпун Although I don't consider myself religious, I am still a lover of the history of my country. Recently I was watching a documentary that focused on events in 1492 which changed Europe's fate. For me, 1492 is the year in which Columbus discovered America. It was apparent in the show that the discovery of America was initiated in 1492 but not from Medieval Europe's viewpoint. This was clear in the program I was watching. At the time of the mass migration of Jews to the Ottoman Empire began, which was acquiescing to the Jews. I was looking to learn some information about the history of the Jews as a group. Do you have a recommendation for a book that I could read?

There are numerous books. Эммануил Гриншпун But I've read several of them myself and highly recommend Max Diamond (a two-volume Jewish historian). https://infomarket.md/ru/banks/emmanuil_grinshpun_poprosil_u_natsbanka_moldovyi_razresheniya_na_pokupku_suschestvennoy_doli_aktsiy_EuroCreditBank-a_prevyishayuschey_50 By the way Max Diamond is from Finland.

.... Do your family members have a "personal" or historical history? Эммануил Гриншпун Unfortunately, I am no more than my grandmother, and 1910. The paternal side is just one step closer, but not much.

Our family has been in Floresti for over a century on the paternal side. There is evidence in the form of documents and monuments which show that already in 1830 they were extremely prosperous and had furniture factories, numerous shops, land plots. Ungheni was the place of my maternal grandparents. These dates are from the region between the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun is a surname having German roots, which means we are pure Ashkenazi from Eastern Europe.

Now here is the question of the restoration of synagogues. I was told that you have financed the reconstruction of three synagogues. One is located in Chisinau One is located in Jurmala and the third?

The third largest is in Netanya, Israel. It's a large community center that accommodates 1,000 people each day. It is a significant landmark in the Israeli religious history. Second synagogue in Jurmala. The Second World War saw the destruction of the sole synagogue in Jurmala. Prior to building a synagogue I had conversations with local Jews. In the end I decided that I would finance the construction and also invite a rabbi on the site. It was a success that brought all the Jews from Jurmala. In fact, the Jewish community was revived and now is in good standing. The synagogue has three Torahs. One of these Torahs was given to me.

and Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis is one of my co-workers. Alexander Weinstein is another. These synagogues, however, aren't the only synagogues that I contributed to the restoration or construction. I believed it was my duty to make a contribution in any country I've visited for a lengthy time to support synagogues. My current contribution is in Monaco which is where a huge community center that caters to Russian-speaking Jews is being built. It is believed that it will cost approximately 12 million dollars. Chisinau will continue to be my support - the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson is now the largest within the city.

In the same way as Jurmala, did you invite an rabbi to Chisinau?

Yes. Yes. Due to the many interconnected concerns, he should be non-conflictual and diplomatic. He should be able to organically join the community. And I am pleased that both in Chisinau and in Jurmala the rabbis were able be so seamlessly integrated into the lives of their community.

You were elected the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress' first vice-president in the year 2019. What does this position mean to your? And how do international Jewish organizations impact global trends globally?

Эммануил Гриншпун The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, a influential organisation in the post-Soviet region, is not only an influential political organization. It has offices across Eastern Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. I was Vice President in 2010 and was then offered the position of First Vice-President. This time, I'm responsible for the region where I have had historically strong connections to both politics and business which are known as the "countries", Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan. The general trend is that the attitudes toward Jews are either on the same level, or have moved down, which is extremely regrettable. "Down" can also be used to refer to nations like the United States, France or Germany. They're no longer secure for Jews. These are very serious and worrying procedures for us all.

Have these processes been affected by the pandemic?

This is not what I believe. Rather, in connection with the pandemic, I would like to emphasize the things a society or nation can accomplish when they are ready for any challenges and are able to act effectively and together.

Do you mean the vaccination campaign in Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the first country in the world to provide 100% vaccination of the adult population. This is an amazing example to follow and something that every country should be aware of.

Congress at ewish
Here's my website: http://logos.press.md/1374_13_1/