The Washington Jewish community has been rocked by allegations against leading Rabbi Barry Freundel of the Kesher Israel Congregation in Georgetown. Freundel is accused of using a secret camera to film Jewish woman engaged in the ritual bath known as a Mikva.
Freundel (shown above from a YouTube clip), is now criminally charged. He is viewed as one of the leading experts on Jewish law and ethics and “an intellectual giant” in the Jewish intellectual circles. Freundel heads the conversion committee of the Rabbinical Council of America and is vice president of the region’s Vaad, overseeing kosher dietary laws at Jewish institutions. He has a law degree and a doctorate and is affiliated with several area universities, including Georgetown University’s law school, the University of Maryland and Towson University, north of the Baltimore.
Ironically, the synagogue is part of Judaism’s modern Orthodox movement that has tried to accommodate the rise of women in leadership. His wife, Sharon Freundel is the leader of Kesher’s monthly women’s study and prayer group as well as the director of Hebrew and Judaic studies at the Jewish Primary Day School. She was in the courtroom with one of their three children for the arraignment.
His congregation includes U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and longtime U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman.
One alleged victim, Emma Shulevitz, 27, said that she was warned by Freundel not to move the digital clock setting on a sink — a curious concern but she said that Freundel was worried that it would be moved in any way. She said that Freundel said that Shulevitz should not hesitate to “take as many practice dunks as I needed.” However, a convert to Judaism, Shulevitz was not concerned until she read that congregants had accused Shulevitz of having a hidden camera in the clock.
The Mikva requires women to be naked and fully submerge under the water while reciting a blessing: “…asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al hatevilah, ….who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us on immersion.” Only one attending woman can be present who by Jewish law is charged with making sure that the woman is totally submerged.
Prosecutors say that a witness contacted police when Freundel was seen plugging in the clock in the shower area of the ritual bath. The witness said that Freundel said it was for ventilation. They identify the clock radio as the “Dream Machine” with a motion activated camera as well as a storage component. It is described as a “self-contained surveillance device.”
Freundel is charged with six counts of voyeurism and faces up to six years in prison. My guess is that we will see a superseding indictment with more charges to try to force a plea deal, which would seem likely. The greatest risk for his defense is that the prosecutors are still looking into whether some of the pictures showed girls. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Marcus Kurn stressed that “He violated the laws up in the heavens and down.”
The synagogue posted the following statement:
This is a painful moment for Kesher Israel Congregation and the entire Jewish community. At this challenging time, we draw strength from our faith, our tradition, and our fellow congregants.
Upon receiving information regarding potentially inappropriate activity, the Board of Directors quickly alerted the appropriate officials.
Throughout the investigation, we cooperated fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.
After today’s arrest of Rabbi Dr. Barry Freundel, the Board of Directors suspended him without pay. As always, Kesher Israel will remain open as a place of learning, prayer, and community, including throughout the remainder of the Sukkot holiday.
This is a very difficult time for all of us. We respectfully request that our community be granted privacy. Any further questions should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Source: Washington Post
“Stupidness is ubiquitous.” (Squeeky Fromm’s Uncle.)
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
max and chester are the same person? The majority of professional athletes are Republicans. They get hammered w/ taxes since virtually all their income is earnings. But, many black athletes who vote Republican did vote for Obama in 2008.
Nick –
“max and chester are the same person? The majority of professional athletes are Republicans. They get hammered w/ taxes since virtually all their income is earnings. But, many black athletes who vote Republican did vote for Obama in 2008.”
Yes! I mentioned the other day that, for some reason, my computer had reverted me back to my old wordpress account. I seem to have finally figured it out…maybe.
“What light can there be in heads that hold such tangible darkness?” – Martin Luther (Against the Heavenly Prophets, pg. 151, Luther’s Works, Vol. 40)
“Why thou globe of sinful continents, what a life dost thou lead!” – Shakespeare (Henry IV, part 2)
I think DavidM is avoiding my question to him. It’s really not surprising since he has avoided it since yesterday.
The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers. Shakespeare (Henry VI)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/17/young-catholic-gay-pew_n_6006328.html?cps=gravity “While the Vatican vacillates over whether to welcome gays into the church, the new kids in the flock seem to have no qualms about the subject.
Close to 85% of self-identified Catholics between the ages of 18 and 29 believe gays and lesbians should be accepted by society, according to a 2014 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center.
These younger Catholics are also supportive of legalizing same-sex marriages, with 75% throwing their weight behind the concept.
The positive attitudes toward homosexuality are less likely to be found among older adults. About 57% of Catholics aged 65 and older told Pew that they believe homosexuality should be accepted.”
I think you are correct BK. Too much gibberish.
Linda and bettykath – and instead of adding to the discussion you have added to the gibberish, as have I. 😀
About a half dozen useful comments but it’s been time consuming to try to find them.
Well, I actually cook, clean, do laundry, sew, crochet, read a book and watch TV and enjoy the outdoors, all while having my iPad next to me and reading or commenting intermittently. No long walks for me as my spinal stenosis would put me in a leg spasm and the ambulance would need to come to carry me back home. Some of us with spinal issues have more pronounced limitations than others. I relate to what Maxcat said upstream, there is joy in watching the stars from ones porch, from engaging in simple pleasures, whether it be family or a good stimulating conversation online. Religion and belief in a God, gods doesn’t play into my happiness quotient. Actually, my sister an I are going to hit the farmers market in a few, so catch y’all later.
Paul, it’s beautiful fall weather here. I take my iPad on the deck and have a cup of coffee, watch the boats on the lake, check what’s up on RIL. I never ever just sit in front of a computer, in a room, that would be incredibly boring. Don’t you multitask too while you are on RIL from early morning to very late at night like you usually are Paul? with the advent of iPads and iPhones one can even go to Starbucks and be online. Ah technology! Yesterday was cool dank and cloudy here BTW Paul.
Annie – I always mult-task. Today I am binge watching Broadchurch. Still too warm to be outside but should be nice in a couple of weeks.
SWM and Bettykath, maybe they have gone underground here, because the environment hasn’t been exactly welcoming if one reads the comments posted regarding the dreaded Homosexual Agenda, or regarding the dangers of alternative ways of sexual contact.
Annie – our outed gay in residence was here the other day. He may have something else to do. Fall weather makes people think of doing things outdoors rather than sitting in front of a computer all day. It is not quite fall here.
“Lots of aggressive “you” statements up-thread which judge and attack others. I see this as a violation of civility.’ bettykath The out of control homophobia was quite offensive last night. At one time we had a couple of self identified gay posters. They are obviously long gone. I would have hated for them to have to see that.
Do these threads or post usually have people posting such unrelated gibberish that is not relevant to the topic at hand. Is this a diversion tactic that is to deflect meaningful dialogue.
One post, a person asked that the topic please be talked about don’t digress to unrelated matters.
Linda – as in a normal conversation, things move to different topics. There may be as many as 6 or 7 conversations going on at one time. You just have to ignore the ones you do not want to be in.
Squeeky, I always told my children when they wanted to watch scary stuff that was beyond their maturity level, that it would give them nightmares and made them watch something more age appropriate, lol.
Thank you Mespo. I guess Kennedy was just finishing off DDE paranoid CIA Chiefs wars of aggression. You’re either with us or your a communist. You just can’t be neutral, you have to pick a side. Choose wisely as yoga says.
Lots of aggressive “you” statements up-thread which judge and attack others. I see this as a violation of civility.
Paul C. lol Who would believe that an intelligent person like yourself does not get that.
SWM – there are so many meaning and connotations, I do not want to go in the wrong direction. Point me in the right one. Remember, it is early here than it is there.
Paul C, I think you understand what “connected” means.
SWM – no, I don’t understand what “connected” means. Please, explain.
paul C, Many people i know have been audited. Name a big time TV law professor that is sitting in prison.
I think Holder just wants some peace and quiet. Then they can all go to cocktail parties together.
“I think Holder would like to bust JT.” nick Craziest thing I read on here today…..Everyone is an insider.
SWM – people who cross or disagree with the President seem to get audited or arrested.