Rabbi Took Students to Synagogue Where He Allegedly Recorded Women

CBS Baltimore
October 21, 2014

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/10/21/rabbi-took-students-to-synagogue-where-he-allegedly-recorded-women/


The popular DC rabbi accused of voyeurism apparently took some of his female Towson University students to the synagogue in Georgetown where he’s accused of secretly video-recording women.

Derek Valcourt explains the students were apparently part of a field trip in their religious studies class.

To be clear, no wrongdoing was alleged to have happened at the university, where the rabbi has taught classes since 2009—but any field trips the professor apparently took some of his students on to that synagogue could raise some red flags.

Respected rabbi and Towson University religious students professor Barry Freundel led the Kesher Israel congregation in DC for 25 years—until last week, when he was arrested on charges that he set up a hidden camera and recorded videos inside the synagogue’s ritual bathing area known as a mikvah, where women immerse themselves during sacred rituals.

The news outraged some of his congregants.

“I feel violated. This is supposed to be between a woman and God,” said one.

Now a Towson University student told the Towson Towerlight newspaper Freundel took some of his students on a field trip to his DC synagogue and allowed at least two Jewish female students to use the mikvah.

“He told us he was instrumental in getting it to his synagogue. He was proud of it; he proposed it as a special opportunity, something that you wouldn’t be able to participate in every day,” a student said.

According to court documents, investigators found videos of six different women that they say Freundel secretly recorded on two separate dates in June of 2014. Police have not yet said whether any of those women were from Towson University.

“We spoke with the students who independently contacted us,” said Towson University spokesman Ray Feldman.

He says they are aware of the field trips and are contacting all students who have ever taken classes with Freundel.

“I really can’t comment on what information students are sharing with us about their experience with Dr. Freundel but we are closely cooperating with the DC police department,” Feldman said.

Towson University has suspended Freundel with pay from his teaching position.

Freundel has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him. He’s expected to return to court November 12.

Concerned students can contact the university at 410-704-2134.