Emmanuel Grinshpun. Concerning the revival of synagogues as well as the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress

Emmanuil Grishhpun talked about the maintenance and restoration of synagogues. It was not possible to stick to one topic during the conversation. There were many topics that were discussed during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. Thank you for allowing me to chat with you. I believe we haven't spoken to one another for at least five years. Do you currently reside in?

The last nine months are split into Miami and Jurmala. While the areas were previously more diverse, the consequences of the pandemic have had an enormous impact on the way people live. In addition I'm not able to declare that this is the only cause for most severe.

You've always had a variety of kinds of business. Do you feel the same now?

Эммануил Гриншпун Эммануил Гриншпун Diversification isn't going anywhere. When we look at the main areas of focus that are developing, it's realty, IT technologies, and food production.

ALIMCOM is an established player in the food and real estate industries. But, the IT field is still a mystery to me. There are million of uses of IT technology. Which area are you most intrigued by?

Our IT-holdings are involved, first of all, by tax reforms across a variety of countries. We have developed and are currently developing a number of solutions that assist in transfer many tax-related processes on the internet and in "real time". This is known as B2G ("Business to Government").

And what happens to the regions that the holding is located? The former USSR countries

They're still available. We also have agreements in Western Europe and Latin America. We currently operate across 14 countries.

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

Our product allows tax agents to electronically submit their tax returns to tax authorities. The fiscal data manager then sees the entire transaction. Tax accounting and tax calculation can be simultaneously handled. In the near future small and medium-sized enterprises will no longer need accounting. All that's required is an analytical task. It's possible to pay taxes and send reports with just one click.

A fascinating topic Future is here. Have you tried to work in Moldova? Moldova is your home country...

We are ready to showcase our product in Moldova. It will help the economic development of Moldova and is irreversible. When there is consensus and clarity between the authorities regarding who takes the decisions and who makes the decisions, we'll start negotiations regarding our product.

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

No, there five hubs across the globe and our headquarters is in Barcelona.

Then why is it that you're from the Baltics? Are you also rooted there?

No. My family's story over many generations is linked only with Moldova or, if we stick to historical names, then with Bessarabia. Jurmala came into our lives on a whim but not professionally. The first time we met there was when Igor Krutoy invited us to the New Wave. After winning numerous competitions, they started to go there every summer. Miami's climate during the summer isn't the most relaxing. We rented the home for a number of years, and then purchased the property.

Now I understand why I was told that one of the synagogues rebuilt with your donations is in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're nearly the same age. Born in the USSR. The Soviet Union was not the location to discuss religion. All of us were pioneers, as well as Komsomol participants. What was the moment when religion became your personal choice?

My family relocated to the USA in the mid-80s. It was in the US that I began to observe the customs and rituals of my family. While I'm not part of the orthodox religion of Christianity, I still feel the need to be a part of in the best way I can and to be a part of the life of the Jewish communities of the countries I reside in or in Moldova. This is the place I grew up and with which I've continued to maintain the most close bonds.

While I'm not a religious person I am a lover of history. Recently I was watching a documentary that focused on events in 1492 which changed Europe's fate. 1492 was for me the year that Columbus discovered America. However, it was stated explicitly in the program that 1492 was the year when Columbus discovered America. The Ottoman Empire accepted the Jews when the exodus began. I was in search of more details about the historical background of Jews. Would you suggest any book?

There are many books, but I myself have read and recommend you to pick up a book in two volumes Jewish historian Max Diamond. In addition, he himself comes from Finland.

.... Do we know the family tree of our family? My family tree is only one step further than 1910 and my mother. Paternal relatives are one step closer, but nothing any further.

Our family was a part of Floresti for several hundred years according to our paternal line. Monuments and documentary evidence indicate that they were already wealthy by 1830. They owned a furniture manufacturer, many shops, and land plots. Ungheni was the home of my grandparents. This is referring to dates from the region from the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun, a surname that has German roots, is Ashkenazi pure Ashkenazi.

Now here is the question of the restoration of synagogues. I heard that you have financed the reconstruction of three synagogues. One is situated in Chisinau. Jurmala is the other.

The third and most important, is located in Netanya (Israel). Эммануил Гриншпун Netanya is home to more than 1,000 people who pray every day. It is a major monument for Israel's religious life. The second synagogue is Jurmala. The only synagogue in Jurmala was destroyed at the start of the Second World War. Before I made the decision to construct an Synagogue, I had spoken to a lot of Jews from the region. The synagogue was an enormous success and brought together the Jews of Jurmala. The project was actually re-created as a Jewish Community and it's now running smoothly. The synagogue now owns three Torahs. One of these Torahs was handed to me.

and Chisinau

Yes. Here I have already collaborated with my partners - Alexander Bilinkis and Alexander Weinstein. Эммануил Гриншпун These synagogues were not the only ones I've been involved in their restoration or construction. It was my obligation to help in the support of synagogues across the world in which that I've been several years. My contribution to Monaco, Miami, is an enormous community facility that is available to Russian-speaking Jews. The estimated value is around 12 million dollars. I will continue to help Chisinau and now it will be the biggest synagogue in the city. It is the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson.

Have you invited a Rabbi to Chisinau in addition to Jurmala?

Yes. It can be a challenge to find the right Rabbi for your congregation. Due to the many interconnected issues, he has to be non-conflictual and diplomatic. He should be able to integrate into the community. And I am pleased to see that in both Chisinau and in Jurmala, the rabbis could integrate so harmoniously into the daily life of their community.

In 2019 you were named vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this post have for you? And what do international Jewish organisations influence the world?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is a powerful political organization in the post-Soviet space and not just. There are offices for it in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I was Vice President in 2010, and was later offered the post of First Vice Presider. Now I am responsible to the region where I have strong political and economic connections. These countries include Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan. As for trends across the world, the barometer for attitudes towards Jews remains at the current level or has dropped, which is very sad. "Down" can also be used to describe countries like as the United States, France or Germany. Эммануил Гриншпун They are no longer secure for Jews. These are very serious and disturbing processes that affect all of us.

Did the pandemic affect these processes?

It isn't my opinion. In the context of the pandemic, I would want to highlight what a society or a country can do in the event that they are prepared for any challenges and are capable of working effectively and in a coordinated manner.

Does this represent the vaccination campaign for Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the first country in the world that provides 100% vaccination of adults. This is a great example to follow and is something that every country should be aware of.

Congress to support the Ewish