Jerusalem – Workers in Jerusalem mikvaot (ritual baths) claim that a new security system recently installed is the cause of a great deal of immodesty – because the system features video cameras, with all clients who enter the building being filmed.
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In a letter to rabbis in the city, workers in the mikvaot say that the cameras are located at the entrance to the buildings, and that “there may be others that we are not aware of.”
The letter says that the images are sent to the offices of security companies, whose workers are not observant, putting the clients in a very embarrassing position.
In addition to the cameras, electronic gates have been installed in many of the baths, delaying many women from entering in a timely manner.
Religious Affairs Minister Yaakov Margi said that the matter would be investigated and remedied immediately.
Stop whining. These cameras are only there for security reasons and are monitored by members of the same gender. There are no cameras whatsoever in the mikvah itself so no nudity in ever shown via remote TV. Get a life and stop trying to undermine efforts to increase security over phony tzinius issues.
The camereras are at the two outside entrances. Inside, they are using standard key card locks on the changing rooms and mikvah room itself. Who cares if someone is watching who comes and goes. Anyone could stand outside the building on a public street and see the same thing. If there are “hidden” cameras that show nudity, than they might have a concern, but even then, the cameras were presumably monitored by women for the women’s side and men for the men’s side , so again there is no issue.
Oy! So a person that doesn’t even know you is gonno see you entering the mikvah, what a shame!
Next step is to ban people from attending weddings, for the exact same tznius reasons.
they have cameras here to and no one is complaining
If the cameras are only outside the building then why does it have to be monitored by people of the same gender? Whats wrong with going to the mikveh? This is weird. Besides, why do they need security at a mikeh? have there been incidents we don’t know about? By the way, there are cameras everywhere nowadays, malls, medical centers, schools, shuls, you name it.
obviously all who responded are men! You couldn’t care less who sees you coming and going since you all go together. A women has a very hard time with this issue and this just makes it harder. Yes you can stand on the corner but knowing someone is watching via camera is disgruntling.
This does not make sense. My wife tells me that there has been a camera at the mikva for years. The door is locked and the women are buzzed in. This is for security. Would they rather have a shomer sit outside? Do you want a situation where a terrorist [r”l] or crazy person can enter at will?
B”H these cameras are in place.
ANyone who has a problem with important security measures can start wearing burkas…
The mikvah in lakewood has video security for years – the attendant at the desk can see who is at the door. Nothing wrong with that and no one’s complaining.
I’m sure there are many bochurim at the local kollel or beis medrash who will volunteer to sit as shomrim every day at the mikvah to provide security and escort these frumme women to and from their cars so that security cameras are not needed. This should eliminate any embarrassment or tzinius concerns. Most of those who raise these “tzinius” issues are same ones who cried gevalt and raised the phony tzinius concerns about the full body scanners at the airports. Get a life and lighten up a bit.
Tell me something better, that there are cameras and surveillance around men’s mikvaot so they can catch the pedophiles and lock them up!!!
FFB Women Are Very Sensative About mikva. Its A Sensativity To tzenius that some will never understand
get rid of the camras you dont need camras by a ladys mikvah its against halocha and against humanity
I feel much safer going to mikvah and knowing there are security camaras watching.
If this is true, it is beyond disgusting, immoral and negates all the kedusha of a Mikveh! Hopefully, this will immediately be rectified!
I can see both sides of the coin. Security is important, as is modesty. Was there a Rav consulted when the security system was put in?
Im sure there can be a way for there to be video surveillance for safety as well as preserving the modesty of the women. It is an issue that needs to be addressed.
In the mean time, another option is the poles that have on many university campuses. It has a flashing blue light so it is easy to see, and there is a telephone that automatically connects to the police. How about installing one of these, and having it attached to a camera (usually off), set up so the camera turns on ONLY if someone picks up the phone (or maybe screams at a certain decibel)
Im not saying that is a sure fire way, but if it doesnt have any halachic issues, and technologically can be wired that way, it is an option worth looking into.
I am unfortunately a bit of an am Haretz BUT even I know there are issues with men passing the entrance to a Women’s Mikvah, so guards are not the answer. It is also wrong for husbands to wait outside in the car for the same reason. In jerusalem I have seen that men wait in cars and it is accepted.
I think outdoor cameras are a great idea, both for security and as a detterent. They should also be used outside Men’s mikvahs.
Clueless wrote
I’m sure there are many bochurim at the local kollel or beis medrash who will volunteer to sit as shomrim every day at the mikvah to provide security and escort these frumme women to and from their cars so that security cameras are not needed. This should eliminate any embarrassment or tzinius concerns. Most of those who raise these “tzinius” issues are.
You are so clueless about the issue that there is not more to say.
The security cameras don’t even really show a face. To see a face they would have to enhance it. I am FFB woman & like the fact that there is some security. There are total strangers monitoring it. Who cares??? Just don’t smile for the camera.
Maybe they are there for the Kedusha police to monitor who is going to the Mikvah on a regular basis. If they have data that can show irregularities in the visits it may produce a red flag and they can investigate what is going on in your personal life.
I dunno. As an ffb woman, all I can say is, safety’s safety.
Much ado about nothing.
we must validate womens mikvas
they say they go…but…think about it
this will insure taharot ha’mishpacha the way it was meant
none of this diboor and no ma’aasah.
keep the cameras rollings.
I feel that this situation must be stopped! This time things have gone too far. To have camera watcheing us outside the mikva?! That other people know when we go and come? We should all stop going to the mikva – that will show the men who is boss!
so basically some of you out there think your wives are going to bloomingdales when they say they go to mikva?
One issue with being Frum is that you can never be Frum enough.
If you were to observe security camera screens in stores, you would see that the camera is angled showing the top of the head and not the face. There is no problem here, and being a woman, I would feel safe, as I do at the one I go to because it has one.
To the man who walks by the mikvah as a favor to the women, to protect them, do me a favor and go home. We don’t need you and any other man walking by or waiting in your car. Go to the next block and wait there. This is absolutely a disgrace. My Kallah teacher taught me that 20 years ago.
It’s not like the camera pans in on the woman’s face and stated her name, age and address! Security is the main concern.The people who see these videos don’t have any idea who these woman are.In addition, they may only watch them if there was an incident to look back on.