for Rabbi Köves has been promoting self-reliance in Jewish communities. Critics of EMIH have pointed out that it has become more of a “business church” than a religious organization. In one article, EMIH is painted as an “empire” built from state funds. However, whereas most places of worship in Hungary rely solely on state funds, EMIH also depends on creating business opportunities within its community and being able to support itself in this way as well while also fostering activity and livelihoods in its community. Mazsihisz has further criticized EMIH for its visible presence in Hungary, saying that the group's public lighting of the menorah and ice skating event to celebrate Hannukah (open to all) as well as having a tent at the super-popular Sziget music festival will fuel antisemitism. Köves claims this is sadly just due to ignorance and that these activities serve to foster an understanding of Judaism by Jews and non-Jews alike and to reach out to those Jews who may be seeking to find out more about their religious heritage. Orthodox versus modern Judaism has been another prominent arena for Köves, in which he strives to use all tools of modernity, be it a rock concert or traditional Jewish festival, to help the surrounding community better understand what Judaism stands for. Köves claims that all mediums should be used to propagate ancient Jewish values and promote a more positive view of Jews. This approach is based on the Chabad philosophy he follows, which emphasizes the joys of life and the reasons behind religious celebration. Köves made headlines when far-right politician and former Jobbik vice-president Csanád Szegedi requested a meeting with the rabbi to discuss the discovery of his Jewish roots. Szegedi said he had apologized to his Jewish grandmother — a Holocaust survivor — for being one of the forces behind the highly antisemitic Jobbik and one of the loudest and most visible voices of its many hateful campaigns but “felt it was not enough”. As to Köves’ decision to meet Szegedi, the rabbi said he didn't “really have any choice” and took up the task of guiding Szegedi on some serious “soul work”, leading the former Jobbik politician to become, as The Times of Israel said, “a pariah in his own party”. Jobbik forced its former leader out, claiming it was not due to his Jewish identity but because he offered bribes to keep his