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
davidm:
The “homosexual agenda” is hedonism? Point me to that website. Never heard that from any of my gay friends or clients. Like most folks they keep private matters private and not one has ever suggested hedonism. Maybe I better get to the gym. 😀
David
Gotta watch out for all that sexual hedonism that exists within same sex marriage.
SWM:
docmadison:
“We got us some pretty crazy ideas around here. I look forward to the day one is made a guest blogger.”
******************
Some say its already happened! 😀
Can’t speak for Linda, but I think she is talking about TV evangelist Jim Baker, Tammy Fay’s ex.
po:
“Are you saying that being prominent and pious shields one from deviancy,from sexual misbehavior?”
*********************
No, I’m saying that religion purports to make one less susceptible to this deviancy through its teachings. if so, why isn’t one of its more prominent members, a presumed expert on the topic, positively affected by the experience. If he’s not, one explanation is that his religion has no affect at all on his behavior and hence its central claim that it is a good thing is undermined.
“Religion prohibiting something is the extent of what it owes humanity, it is up to the person to work at conforming or not.”
*********************
If religion’s only function is to tell you right from wrong in that ethereal, vaporous way that it does with contradictory scripture what value is it. Certainly we have better ways in the modern world to explain right from wrong in the context of modern times. What does the Bible say about anti-trust violations or computer hacking or identity theft? American law deals with each one quite comprehensively and without resort to divine inspiration. And if religion adds nothing to behavior but merely asks the adherent to “work at it,” why have religion at all? Plus you’re omitting the central part of the religion we’re talking about which is an all powerful deity that moves with us through time and compels us to “work at it” under penalty of eternal damnation in some (but not this) religions.Why doesn’t She help put more than having Her very human emissaries tell us what to do — and ask for our money in return.
“What sexual repression are you referring to? Homosexual? Fetishist? Voyeurist?”
**********************
These examples aren’t sexual repression. They are modes of sexual expression. Sexual repression is defined as a constriction of sexual desires that leads to sometimes undesirable consequences. Your examples are not undesirable in all circumstances or even any circumstances depending on the participants’ characteristics and their particular manner of expression.
“The problem with your logic is that every instance of religious misbehavior is used to prove your stance that religion is bad,”
************************************
That’s just not right. It’s the same as me saying you will excuse every abuse in the name of you promoting your approval of religion. My logical premise is manifest that religion leads to undesirable outcomes when it intrudes on basic human psychology. In this instance, I suspect (and that’s the operative word) that our pious rabbi is manifesting the type of unacceptable behavior described herein based on a sexual dysfunction. One possible reason is his adherence to a faith that I understand (based on my conversations with its adherents) has many components of sexual repression. Based on that assumption, I postulated that his religious affiliation at last contributes to his predicament. Your argument which I’ve deconstructed here revolves not around logic but around your unshakable belief that religious beliefs are uniformly good and it’s just the weakness of the follower that makes them fail. This rabbi is no lukewarm follower. He’s an acknowledged expert. if we can’t deduce from the actions of experts, what can we deduce from?
’cause you say it is so?
Our youth have always experimented David. I doubt that this experimentation will result in a true lesbian identity for life.
Annie wrote: “I doubt that this experimentation will result in a true lesbian identity for life.”
Many lesbians claim otherwise. Ask Jerry Springer. He can tell you. 🙂
David,
Because Obama.
David, are you saying that pedophilia and homosexuality are in the same category? Pedophiles prey on innocent children, homosexuals mostly engage in sex with fellow adults, SAME as heterosexuals. You do understand that pedophiles are both hetero and homo? Murderers are both hetero and homo. Doctors are both hero and homo. Etc etc etc.
Annie wrote: “are you saying that pedophilia and homosexuality are in the same category?”
No, they are both categories of sexuality. DSM-5 calls pedophilia a sexual orientation, and many scholarly articles refer to it that way. I am certain, however, that political pressure from the homosexual activists will be sure to change that terminology.
Sexuality is not binomial. People are not just homosexual or heterosexual. Neither are people homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual. Sexuality is a complex issue that is a continuum along many factors. There is not just gender orientation, but age orientation. Some people have fetishes for certain body parts. It is only the homosexual propaganda that causes people to think about sexuality in the way that you do. Read some source studies and you will start to see the real truth that lies under the surface of all the false rhetoric being spread about this subject.
Annie – what he is saying is that if people are born homosexual or heterosexual, therefore there is no reason to believe pedophiles are not born that way.
David,
How about Jim Bakker? Didn’t he admit to having homosexual relationships?
Linda, are you talking about Reagan’s Chief of Staff James Baker? That would be news to me, and I do not understand its relevance even if it were true.
Sorry David,
I saw nothing in Mesopotamias comment that suggested anything about a Homosexual Agenda. You addressed that in your comment.
You do not need to tell me you are or have tried to get wiki to change the definition. I think the definition is clear and concise.
Linda L wrote: ” I think the definition is clear and concise.”
The definition is clear and concise and biased and misleading and wrong.
In my opinion, the term “homosexual agenda” is rarely used disparagingly.
Activists have an agenda, and there are homosexual activists with an agenda to change our culture to be accepting of sexual hedonism. Such is not meant to denigrate them. I can also talk about the Roman Catholic Church’s agenda, or President Obama’s agenda or the Republican agenda or the Democratic agenda, without ever meaning to disparage those groups or individuals.
Just to clarify a bit of Jewish law here, Rabbi Freundal would be required to make amends and seek forgiveness from each and every person whose privacy he violated. Then and only then could he seek forgiveness from his god. Somehow, I think we will have to trust in the secular courts and not hold our breath waiting for him to fulfill his duty in seeking forgiveness.
@Annie
Bullsh*t! You are just repeating gay propaganda. What about the wife of Mayor Blasio??? Do you know what a hasbian is??? And heterosexuals becoming homosexuals??? My goodness, have you never heard today’s trade is tomorrow’s competition??? I guess not, because just like with race, we really haven’t had a good national conversation about homosexuality either. And we won’t, because the Gaystapo will make sure people stay in the dark about their filthy and destructive lifestyles.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Squeeky, we all know there are bisexuals and people who experiment, BUT a homosexual whose brain has been so from birth cannot be succesfully treated with therapy or influenced to be heterosexual. It goes the opposite way also. There is no such thing as being turned into a homosexual. You’re conflating bisexuality with homosexuality.
Annie wrote: “a homosexual whose brain has been so from birth cannot be succesfully treated with therapy or influenced to be heterosexual.”
Nobody has ever proven that a person is born with any kind of sexual drive that cannot be governed by their will. People are born pedophiles the same way they are born homosexuals. Prove me wrong.
Annie wrote: “There is no such thing as being turned into a homosexual.”
Then why is lesbianism skyrocketing among our youth?
Mespo: “I am saying that religion purports to improve and change the man. If it doesn’t among its most prominent and pious adherents, what is its utility?”
There you again, throwing the baby out with the bath water, and because you have failed to link the deviancy with the religious mind, I have religious blinders on!
Are you saying that being prominent and pious shields one from deviancy,from sexual misbehavior? Does knowing that stealing is bad stop the religious from stealing? Anyone from stealing? Religion prohibiting something is the extent of what it owes humanity, it is up to the person to work at conforming or not.
I would not do what he did, religiously and morally, why doesn’t that prove the good in religion?
What sexual repression are you referring to? Homosexual? Fetishist? Voyeurist? Unless you can identify the sexuality that is being repressed how can you designate it and blame it?
Let’s say it is voyeurism, shouldn’t he repress it? Doesn’t all societal and moral standards frown upon it? what is his option other than repress it?
The problem with your logic is that every instance of religious misbehavior is used to prove your stance that religion is bad, which reflects merely your ignorance of and entrenched bias against religion. Both you and David reacted to the extreme by being overly sensitive to your bias, you against religion and him against homosexuality.
We got us some pretty crazy ideas around here. I look forward to the day one is made a guest blogger.
Annie,
I am besides myself now. I did not know people were this narrow minded.
I am sorry, I googled it up, here is what I found:
“Homosexual agenda (or gay agenda) is a term introduced by some conservative Christians in the United States as a disparaging way to describe the advocacy of cultural acceptance and normalization of non-heterosexual orientations and relationships. The term refers to efforts to change government policies and laws on LGBT rights related issues. The term has also been used by some social conservatives and others to describe alleged goals of LGBT rights activists, such as recruiting heterosexuals into what they term a “homosexual lifestyle””
Linda L, do not rely upon Wikipedia for this definition. There are advocates of the homosexual agenda creating that definition. I fought them for years trying to edit their biased definition of the homosexual agenda.
@Annie
You asked, “How would they influence a non homosexual to be homosexual? ”
My goodness, but that is a silly question. First, do you think that even homosexuals are homosexual all the time??? Because if you do, you are flatly wrong. A recent study in England showed that 85% of Lesbians were having sex with men, during the same time periods they were having sex with women. I read somewhere that about 2/3 of homosexual men have children.
Sooo, if homosexuals can swing both ways, why then can’t or don’t heterosexuals??? The answer is aversion, shame, and a lack of desire. But those factors are very amenable to social tinkering. The more TV shows that portray homosexuality as either normal, or fun, the less aversion and shame that will attach to it. The more porn that depicts homosexual acts as sexy, the less people will be averse to it. Plus let’s face it, people like to have org*sms, and sometimes it is any old port in a storm. You could do the same thing with pedophilia and normalize that if you had the agenda.
That is why the people who support all this gay crap are sooo demonic and anti-civilization. For men, it is even worse, because as a group, 1 in 5 gay men is already HIV positive. What, are you demonic individuals not going to be happy until it is 20% in non-gay men, or maybe even higher among the gays???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Good question Linda. Perhaps David could explain it?