Emmanuil Grishhpun talked about the maintenance and restoration of synagogues. But it was difficult to keep the conversation focused on just one subject. There are many topics in the interview, at the very least.

Emmanuel, good afternoon. It was a pleasure to have you meet. I believe we haven’t spoken to each other for at least five years. Which part of the world are you located now?

The nine months that have passed between Miami and Jurmala were split. In the past, the geographical area was more extensive, but the flu has greatly affected the lifestyle. It is a pity that it has been for the worst.

You’ve always had multiple types of business. Эммануил Гриншпун What do you do now?

Diversification won’t stop. If we look at the most important areas that are developing, it’s technology, real estate, and food production.

ALIMCOM’s food industry is ALIMCOM. Real estate may be understood, but it’s completely new to me. There are millions of areas for the application of IT technology. What are your areas of expertise?

Our IT-holding is principally concerned with the reform of tax systems across many nations. We have designed and are currently working on tools that allow you to transfer various operations that are related to online taxation. This segment is called „Business to Government“.

What are the locations where the holding is located? Formerly, were they part from the USSR?

They are in existence. We have additional contracts across Western, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Эммануил Гриншпун We currently have activities across 14 countries.

Could we define the basic idea or product?

Our solution permits economic companies to submit online tax reports to tax authorities. Fiscal data operator monitors every transaction. Tax accounting and tax calculation are managed simultaneously. Thus, in the future, small and medium-sized companies won’t require accounting, unless it is for an analytical function. Making payments for taxes and sending reports are done with just one „click“.

This is an interesting subject. Have you ever thought about working in Moldova? Moldova is your country of birth…

We are prepared to launch our product to Moldova The Moldovan economy will benefit from such automation, and it is a given that this is a permanent process. Once we have clarity from the authorities on who will take the final decision, the product negotiations can begin.

You said that you’ve been bouncing around for the past year long between Miami, Jurmala. The Baltics have a head office for an IT holding?

Five hubs are located around the world, and we have our head office in Barcelona.

And why then the Baltics? Are you also rooted there?

No. My family’s history is tied to Moldova over many generations. If we are to keep our ancestral names, it’s associated with Bessarabia. Эммануил Гриншпун Jurmala was a chance encounter that happened quite by accident. When Igor Krutoy invited me to the New Wave in Miami, it was the first time that we had the opportunity to go there. They began visiting Miami every summer, winning numerous competitions. The climate isn’t the most pleasant in Miami in summer months. We rented the house for many years and recently bought it.

Now I understand why you told me that the synagogues were located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We are almost the same age. We were 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 first time you came in contact with religion?

My family and I came to America in the mid-80s. I learned about traditions and rituals that were prevalent in America. While I may not be an orthodox person, I have an inner desire to be supportive of, as best possible, the religious lives of the Jewish community in my home country or in Moldova.

Although I don’t consider myself religious, I still love the past. I was watching an documentary on 1492 and how it changed Europe’s fate. 1492 was the year Columbus was the first to discover America. It was clear in the program that the discovery of America was made in 1492, but not from Medieval Europe’s perspective. This was clear in the program I was watching. When the mass exodus of Jews to the Ottoman Empire began, which welcomed the Jewish people. I’m interested in knowing more about the culture and history of the Jews. Would you recommend a book to me?

There are numerous books, but I myself have read and I advise you to pick up a book in two volumes Jewish historian Max Diamond. pavelzingan.md/emmanuil-grinshpun-o-vosstanovlenii-sinagog-i-evro-aziatskom-evrejskom-kongresse/ By the way it is true that he hails from Finland.

In terms of „personal“ history …. Are you aware of the family tree of your family? Unfortunately, I have only my grandmother’s name and 1910. Paternal relatives are one step closer, however nothing more.

Our family was a part of Floresti for several hundred years according to our paternal lineage. Their wealth was evident by the presence of a furniture factory, numerous shops , and land plots. Monuments and documentation prove this assertion. My maternal ancestors also lived in Ungheni. I’m talking about dates in the region from the 17th-18th century. Grinshpun is a surname which comes from German roots. We are straight and pure Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

Here is the issue about the restoration of synagogues. I was told you helped fund the restoration of three synagogues. One of them is located in Chisinau and the other is located in Jurmala. The third is in Jurmala.

The third, and the largest, is Netanya in Israel. It’s a huge community center which houses up to 1,000 people each day. It is a significant landmark in the spiritual life of Israel. The second synagogue is Jurmala. In the beginning of the Second World War, the only synagogue that was left in Jurmala was destroyed. Prior to making the decision to build a synagogue, i had a conversation frequently with local Jews and, as a result, I decided to fund the construction of the synagogue and to invite a rabbi there. It turned out to be an extremely successful venture that united the Jews of Jurmala. The project actually rebuilt the Jewish community, and it’s working very well. 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 endeavor. However, these synagogues weren’t the only ones I’ve participated in restoration or construction. In every country that I’ve lived in for a long period of time, it was my duty and obligation to contribute a meaningful contribution to the assistance or synagogues. Эммануил Гриншпун My contribution is currently in Monaco, where a large community center for Russian-speaking Jews is in the process of being constructed. It is estimated that it will cost around 12 million dollars. Chisinau will continue to be my support – the synagogue Rabbi Tsirelson is currently one of the biggest in the city.

Did Jurmala take you to Chisinau with a Rabbi?

Yes. It can be a challenge to find the right Rabbi for your community. Due to the interconnectedness of his interests, he should be non-conflict-free and diplomatic, able to naturally enter the community. And I am pleased that both in Chisinau as well as in Jurmala, the rabbis were able seamlessly integrate into the lives of their community.

You were elected the first vice-president 2019, of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. What does this post have to do with YOU? How do international Jewish organizations impact global trends in general?

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is a powerful political organization within the post-Soviet region and not just. It has offices in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I was Vice President in 2010, and was then given the post as First Vice President. I am now responsible for the regions where I have enjoyed strong business and political relations. These are Uzbekistan Tajikistan as well as Kyrgyzstan. The world’s trends show that attitudes toward Jews is in the same place as it was before or has declined quite a bit, which is extremely disappointing. „Down“ is also used to refer to countries like as the United States, France or Germany. These countries are no longer safe for Jews. They are serious, worrying processes for us all.

Does the pandemic affect these processes somehow?

It’s not so. In fact, in the context of the pandemic I’d like to point out the positive things a country and society can achieve when they’re ready to face any challenge, and work together.

Do you mean the vaccination program in Israel?

Exactly. Israel is the only country worldwide to offer all-inclusive vaccination for its population of adults. I consider this to be a an excellent example and a valuable the kind of experience that other countries need to consider taking into consideration.

Congress Ewish