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
It’s bad to have sex for pleasure? What about when you’ve already had several children?
Policies that promote family values in same sex marriage is bad though, huh?
I’m speaking of small “l” libertarian principles, I’m not concerned with the Party.
But YET David you want governmental policies controlling people’s sexual proclivities? That doesn’t sound very libertarian at all.
Annie, not controlling, but guiding like a kind father with sound advice.
Annie – you are against david controlling sexual proclivities but I do not see you standing up for the rights of rapists and child molesters.
Paul C:
I think they may be born that way and there is some evidence to suggest pedophilia is supported by genetic/biological factors. That doesn’t rule out psycho-social but its there nonetheless.
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/14/local/la-me-pedophiles-20130115
Again – Paul – I certainly hope you are not serious. These people have no rights except behind bars. Again, everyone is born with deviant proclivities, some more than others, deal with it. Take medication. Just like any other type of problem that interferes with the rights of others – namely – children –
It’s different than 2 consenting adults don’t you think? Or are you into Sexual Slavery because that’s what it is with a child. They are totally objectified.
You’re a sharp cookie, kid!! I love your wit. We need more.
David, I constantly have to say libertarian, “small ‘l;” not the Libertarian party. Two different things. But, before the Ayn Rand memes start, I’m hitting the sack.
@NickS
Why does it have to be MYopic??? Why can’t it be everybody’s opic???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
LOL, Squeeky, that is sooo exactly the way I see them.
This makes for some good political ads…
… “Palling around with perverts”.
Squeeky, There are no corrective lens for that myopic view of libertarianism.
David, do you think it’s a libertarian principle to have governmental policies against hetero and homo promiscuity? I though libertarians though people should be free to choose for themselves and didn’t want government involved in such matters.
Annie wrote: “do you think it’s a libertarian principle to have governmental policies against hetero and homo promiscuity?”
Extreme libertarianism leads to anarchy. I am not an anarchist like Noam Chomsky. I believe in government. Behavior that is bad for the individual should not be given the imprimatur of government that it is good behavior. I do not want laws against homosexual behavior because the idea of policing the bedroom is abhorrent. However, policies that are supportive of heterosexual marriage that create strong families would be good. Policies that warn through educational avenues of the danger of promiscuous sexual behavior and especially homosexual behavior which is obviously about have sex for pleasure rather than reproductive reasons, would lead to a stronger society.
@NickS
I wrote this about Libertarianism three years ago.
The Libertarian National Anthem
by Squeeky Fromm
(To the tune of “Do Re Mi” from the sound of Music)
Me . . .The Center of the World.
Me . . .I’ll never have enough.
Me . . .The One, it’s all about.
Me . . .Keep your hands off my stuff!
Me . . . Don’t try to take my Dough!
Me . . . Will never be a “We.”
Me . . . It’s MINE, ALL MINE!!! and so,
Everything comes down to Me, Me, Me, Me.
Chorus: To the same tune:
Me. . .Me Me . . . Me Me Me Me.
Me. . .Me Me Me Me Me Meeee!!!!
Me. . .Me Me . . . Me Me Me Me.
Me. . .Me Me Me Me Me Meeee!!!!
Me. . .Me Me Me Me Me Meeee!
Me. . .Me Me Me Me Me Meeee!
Me. . .Me Me Me Me Me Meeee!
Me Me Me Me . . Me Me . . Me Me Me Me. . .
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
LOL, Squeeky. I see it more as giving enough freedom so people can see and enjoy the fruits of their own labor. They can give sacrificially to society as they grow as an individual at the time that they are ready for it, not as puppets being worked by a puppeteer. From my perspective, individual liberty is at the core of living a happy life.
Thanks for correcting that David.
David, are you a libertarian? I see you as strictly conservative. You don’t need to answer if my question if it makes you uncomfortable, just trying to understand you better.
Of course I believe in libertarian principles. I actually voted for a libertarian in this latest election (I voted early by absentee ballot). But I have not joined the libertarian party, probably for similar reasons to why the Koch brothers left the libertarian party. I am a registered Republican and a libertarian.
To each their own. It is the core of the libertarian lifestyle and the words uttered by my mother regularly. Libertarianism is MUCH more than a political philosophy, it is a wonderful way to live ones life. David is a libertarian. We want no one to tell us what we should believe, what we can say, how we live our lives. It is a concept completely foreign to some folks. Our host is a libertarian, that is what brought some of us here.
Linda L.
If you wondered if people were still so narrow-minded, I imagine your question has been answered by now.
Oy vey….
Who said he didn’t?
David has a right to believe or practice any religious doctrine, teachings, or faith in a manner of his own choosing.
Yet David questioned my sanity. Amazing.
My guess is that David doesn’t want any ‘middleman’ interfering with his conversations with God.