Emmanuil Grinshpun’s topic for the interview was restoration of synagogues. But it was difficult to keep the conversation on a single topic. Thus, there were a variety of topics in the interview.

Emmanuel, good afternoon. It was nice to talk with you. We haven’t seen one other in five years. Where are you currently based?

The nine months that gone by between Miami and Jurmala were divided. The geography was far more extensive in the past, however the pandemic impacted the way of life. This isn’t all.

There are many areas of work for you. Do you still feel like that?

Diversification hasn’t gone anywhere. If we examine the main areas of focus the most growth is in real estate, IT technology, and food production.

ALIMCOM’s food industry is ALIMCOM. Real estate may be understood, but it’s a completely new concept to me. There are millions of applications of IT technology. What are you specialising in?

Our IT-holdings deal first and foremost with reforms to tax systems in a number of countries. We have developed and are working on a variety of solutions that assist in transfer various tax-related business processes online and in „real time“. This is referred to as B2G (Business-to-Government).

What about the areas in which the holding is operating? The ancestors of the USSR

They are in existence. We have agreements in Western, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Currently, we operate in 14 countries.

Briefly explain the concept and the reason behind the product.

Our software makes it possible for economic agents to submit tax returns online. Эммануил Гриншпун The fiscal data administrator is able to view each transaction. Tax calculation and tax accounting are simultaneously managed in parallel. In the near future small and medium-sized businesses do not require accounting. All that is required is an analytical function. It’s possible to pay taxes and submit reports with a single click.

It’s a fascinating topic. The future is here. Have you ever thought about working in Moldova. In the end, Moldova is your native country…

We’re willing to showcase our product in Moldova. This would be an enormous benefit to the Moldovan economy and in all likelihood, an irreversible transition. Once there is clarity and consensus with the authorities about who makes the final decisions and who makes the decisions, we’ll start negotiations over our product.

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

There are five hubs around the world, including our headquarters in Barcelona.

What is the reason for this? Baltics! Are you from there?

No. The history of my family for many generations is connected only with Moldova or in the case of historical names, then with Bessarabia. And Jurmala was introduced to our lives quite by accident and quite prosaically. Igor Krutoy invited them to the New Wave. This was their first trip to the New Wave. They began to make it a regular summer excursion after a few events. But the weather in Miami is not very pleasant in summer. We were able to rent for a number of years a property and thus are now in possession of it.

Now I know why I was informed that one of the synagogues that was restored by your donation is located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We are almost the exact same age. We were born in the USSR. We were all Komsomol participants and pioneers at the time. When did religion become your choice?

In the latter half of the 80s my family and I relocated to the USA. It was here where I first became aware of the customs. Even now, I’m far from the traditional religion. I feel an internal need to help, to the best of my ability the life of religion of the Jewish community in the nations where I reside or in Moldova, where I come from and to which I continue to have the closest bonds.

Although I’m not religion-based, the subject of history is one I really love. Recently, I watched a program about the events of 1492, which changed the course of European history. 1492 was the year that Columbus discovered America. Эммануил Гриншпун Эммануил Гриншпун But, it was mentioned explicitly in the program that 1492 was the year that Columbus discovered America. They were granted acceptance by the Ottoman Empire when the mass exodus began of Jews to the Ottoman Empire. I was searching for more information on the background of Jews. Would you recommend a good book for me to read?

There are numerous books. But I have read all of them and I would recommend Max Diamond, the two-volume Jewish historian. By the way the fact that he is himself from Finland.

What’s your „personal“ story ? My family tree is one step ahead of 1910 and my grandmother. I’m only one step ahead on the paternal slant however, there’s not much more.

Our paternal line lived in Floresti for more than 100 years. Their wealth was apparent through furniture factories, many shops and land plots. Monuments and documentation support this claim. Ungheni was the place where I lived with my grandparents. I’m talking about dates in the 17th-18th centuries. Grinshpun is a surname that comes from German roots. We are Ashkenazis pure and straight and straight from Eastern Europe.

Let’s discuss the revival of synagogues. I was told by you that there were three synagogues being renovated. One is located in Chisinau One is in Jurmala, and the third?

The third largest is in Netanya, Israel. It is a huge community center where 1,000 people pray each day. An important object in the religious life of Israel. The second synagogue is Jurmala. The Second World War began and the Jurmala synagogue was among the one that was destroyed the last time. Before I decided to build a Synagogue, however, I had spoken to a lot of Jews from the region. It was a hugely success project that brought together all the Jews of Jurmala. The project was actually re-created as a Jewish Community, and it is now running smoothly. The synagogue is now home to three Torahs. I donated one of them to it.

and – Chisinau

Yes. Эммануил Гриншпун Alexander Bilinkis, Alexander Weinstein and I have already joined forces in this project. These synagogues are not the only ones that I contributed to the restoration or construction. I believed it was my obligation to make a contribution in any country I’ve visited for a lengthy time to help synagogues. In Monaco, a large centre for Russian-speaking Jews has been built. My contribution is approximately 12 million dollars. I continue to help Chisinau. It will soon become the biggest synagogue within the city, and the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson.

In along with Jurmala, did you also invite a rabbi to Chisinau?

Yes. It’s not simple to choose the right person to manage the community. He must be capable and willing to be integrated into the life of the community, considering the variety of things to do. I was pleased that both in Chisinau (and Jurmala) the Rabbis were able to integrate with ease into the life of the community.

You were elected vice-president for the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress in 2019. Эммануил Гриншпун What does this role mean to you, and how do international Jewish organizations impact the world?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress has been an important political entity in post-Soviet Europe, however it’s not the sole one. There are offices as well in Australia and Japan. In 2010, I served as Vice President of Congress. But, in the previous year, I was appointed the First Vice President. This time, I’m responsible for the region in which I have historically strong business and political ties which are known as the „countries“, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan. Эммануил Гриншпун Regarding the trends across the world and the world at large, the barometer of attitude toward Jews is either in the same place or, which is very regrettable, has fallen. Furthermore, „down“, refers not only to developed countries like the United States, France, Germany and France but also other nations like Belgium as well as Germany. They are not safe anymore to Jews. These are worrying and very important procedures.

Is the pandemic affecting these processes in some way?

I don’t think so. To be more specific I’d rather emphasize the potential of a country or a society when they are ready to meet any challenge and are able to be effective and united in relation to the pandemic.

You’re referring the vaccination campaign that is currently underway in Israel.

Exactly. Israel is the only country worldwide to offer the complete vaccination of its adult population. I consider this to be an excellent example and example that other countries can follow.

Congress for the Ewish