Washington – Prominent Orthodox Rabbi Pleads Not Guilty To Voyeurism Charge, Ordered To Stay Away From Converts, Mikvah

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    FILE - Kesher Israel CongregationWashington – A prominent Washington rabbi who police allege installed a video camera in a ritual bathing area pleaded not guilty to a voyeurism charge on Wednesday, according to court documents.

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    Rabbi Barry Freundel, 62, was arrested by police on Tuesday at his home in the U.S. capital’s upscale Georgetown neighborhood, a few blocks from his modern Orthodox synagogue, Kesher Israel Congregation.

    Freundel pleaded not guilty in District of Columbia Superior Court to voyeurism, a misdemeanor.

    Judge William Nooter ordered Freundel to stay away from all individuals he had helped convert to Judaism and participated with in the Jewish ritual bathing process known as mikvah, according to court documents online.

    He was also ordered to stay away from the Kesher Israel synagogue and the National Capital Mikvah.

    According to a police report, the alleged victim, a 35-year-old woman, told police she saw Freundel plugging in a black alarm clock that contained a video recording device while she was preparing to take a mikvah at the synagogue.

    Freundel explained to her the device was for ventilation purposes, according to the report. Kesher Israel has suspended Freundel without pay.

    Kesher Israel’s congregation included Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and former Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, according to Washingtonian magazine.

    Calls seeking comment from Freundel’s attorney Jeffrey Harris were not immediately returned.


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    41 Comments
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    9 years ago

    I really really hope this case turns to be non sense. While I don’t personally know the Rabbi, he always seems to be a great guy whenever I visit our D.C.

    TexasJew
    TexasJew
    9 years ago

    “Even a clock is correct twice a day”. Not this one.
    If guilty, he should lose his smicha and never be allowed to work for any Jewish organization.
    What a chilul Hashem!!!

    Tullysghost
    Tullysghost
    9 years ago

    Rabbi Freundel is on the 1969-1970 list of the Talmud Torah of Flatbush upper hs/college group!!!!

    9 years ago

    Now the news has surfaced that the idiot actually filmed HIMSELF while placing the camera. He invaded the privacy of 6 woman videoing them as they prepared for mikvah. Plus, as a rabbi assisting women in converting, he made them take practice dunks so he could film them. Shanda.

    9 years ago

    Why is everyone out there so quick and eager to believe the woman? Maybe she planted the video device and seeks to frame the rabbi? If she is the victim that would imply she bathed and got videoed knowingly, despite seeing the rabbi plug in the device prior. I’m sorry, but I just don’t but the purported story. It sound to me like another Blau fabrication in an attempt to get the rabbi fired from his job.

    AlbertEinstein
    AlbertEinstein
    9 years ago

    You people all need to review Hilchos Shemiras haLashon.

    Snagged
    Snagged
    9 years ago

     AlbertEinstein

    I did, and I found that all the commentors here are not contravening any prohibition in discussing this matter which is in the public domain. Thanks for your input.

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    9 years ago

    Video camera are supposedly involved. Either the police find the files or they do not. This will be an open-and-shut case one way or the other.

    lazerx
    lazerx
    9 years ago

    Like others, I hope the rabbi is cleared of the charges.

    bewhiskered
    bewhiskered
    9 years ago

    “According to a police report, the alleged victim, a 35-year-old woman, told police she saw Freundel plugging in a black alarm clock that contained a video recording device while she was preparing to take a mikvah at the synagogue.”

    Wouldn’t there have been a שומרת on duty who could corroborate the 35 year old’s accusation? Am I incorrect in assuming that based on the 35 year old’s say so alone, there would have been no arrest, and therefore, the Police may very well have some of Freundel’s video productions, or other incriminating evidence?

    bewhiskered
    bewhiskered
    9 years ago

    “If the rabbi did it, then maybe he wanted to make sure that all the procedures were done correctly. How else could he know for sure?”

    Stop the music! Are you actually justifying a male secretly looking at disrobing and naked females to make certain that their טבילה is being performed ע”פ דין? I really don’t mean to be insulting so soon after יו”כ, but does the term delusional have any special significance for you?

    “But let’s face it, he didn’t molest anyone and certainly he wasn’t looking to hurt anyone.”

    Wasn’t looking to hurt anyone? Aside from shaming his female victims, how would you as a husband feel if you knew of some sweating creep who secretly ogled your wife while she prepared for טבילה? Would you be as magnanimous to him then, as you are now? Even you can’t possibly be so gullible to believe what you purport here!

    AYONEMAN
    AYONEMAN
    9 years ago

    I hate to tell you all; that when it comes to the haloches (laws) involving nushim (females), it is the prerogative, in fact the requirement, of the of the rav (rabbi) or the kohen (priest) to do the actual watching and inspections of all the details.
    A ishe (lady) suspected of a tsarahs (skin blemish) was inspected by the kohen (priest) in a full state of undress; so also to assure that she performed mikvah properly (until lady attendants were substituted) same also for a sohteh or virginity.. Modesty was never applicable when it came to supervision and performance of mandated religious rituals.
    It is hoped that what he did was ONLY for HALACHIC reasons and NOT for voyeuristic reasons.
    THINK OF THE RABBI AS A DOCTOR IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
    Ben from Hajdu

    chadak
    chadak
    9 years ago

    True or no true too have such a story posted in disgusting

    9 years ago

    This whole story makes no sense from a logical point of view. If he wanted to see women in various states of undress, why put his entire reputation and life and marriage on the line by doing it this way? He could’ve more easily just gotten his kicks by turning on a computer and viewing much more revealing pictures on the internet. Something doesn’t shtim here.

    9 years ago

    As a result of these revelations, the true character of the “Rabbi” is emerging from the shadows; and it is sinister. The lesson to all of us is that titles, degrees and even smichos have very little to do with character and integrity. They reflect knowledge, skill and expertise but often nothing more. We will have to tread cautiously before we place our trust in people.

    9 years ago

    The news reported that the Shul knew about his actions over two years ago since they had so many women complain. The Shul did nothing about his deeds and allowed him to continue. He had over 7 computers removed from his office and home and they were filled with images of nude women. He transported some of the women over state lines—-hopefully, this will be the icing on the cake for this Orthodox, holier than thou pervert. Too many people here are defending or making excuses for him on this blog. Too many posters are too sympathetic about his deeds. Why, I ask? Are these the same posters who are sympathetic to Weberman?

    9 years ago

    “Judge William Nooter ordered Freundel to stay away from all individuals he had helped convert to Judaism and participated with in the Jewish ritual bathing process known as mikvah”

    Isn’t anybody questioning these conversions? Meaning if he is THE rabbi or one of the rabbis converting someone then he certainly does not qualify to convert anybody let alone woman!