Women Secretly Videotaped By Local Rabbi Speaking Out

By Vic Carter
CBS Baltimore
May 05, 2015

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/05/05/women-secretly-videotaped-by-local-rabbi-speaking-out/

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) — He was an influential religious leader and a respected and popular Towson University professor. But Rabbi Barry Freundel preyed on his female students, secretly videotaping them as they undressed for a ritual bath.

Vic Carter reports two of his victims are telling their stories on the ultimate betrayal of trust.

Rabbi Barry Freundel was a prominent spiritual leader and a respected Towson University professor.

He was also a master manipulator who lured women under the pretense of a religious cleansing ritual to get them to take off their clothes in front of hidden cameras he planted.

The rabbi admits to secretly videotaping dozens of women. Now, for the first time, two of his students–violated and betrayed by the man they trusted–are telling their stories to WJZ.

Reporter: “Tell us how the rabbi discussed the mikvah with you.”

Victim 1: “How it was presented to me was kind of like a personal baptism where you’re remade new and forgiven of all your sins.”

Victim 2: “He presented it also in that–it doesn’t have to be a religious thing… it’s just a very cleansing, relaxing–it is what you make it sort of thing. He was selling it–he was selling the mikvah.”

The mikvah–a cleansing bath inside a synagogue… typically reserved for married Jewish women. Freundel presents it to his students as an educational experience.

Reporter: “Do you feel like you were pressured to do this?

Victim 2: “Yes–in a very discreet way. He took it a level deeper by using that relationship to kind of manipulate you to do what he wanted you to do.”

In February, Freundel admits he put mini cameras in a clock radio, tissue box and tabletop fan–all so he could record the women taking off their clothes.

Reporter: “How did you find out or discover that these recordings had taken place?”

Victim 2: “One of my close girlfriends called me and said you might want to read this. And that’s when I made the connection.”

Victim 1: “The fact that I went to mikvah in February and I sat through the rest of class until mid-May with him and still met with him. And knowing later that he had tapes of me naked in his office–is mortifying.”

Prosecutors believe the rabbi recorded more than 100 naked women, but he only pleaded guilty to the most recent ones–about 50.

Reporter: “What would bring closure for you? What would put all this behind you?”

Victim 2: “Closure would be having him get some sort of help. He is a very sick man.”

Victim 1: “Some part of me wants him to have to pay for his actions, but I do think that he desperately needs help and I really think the only closure that I’ll be able to have is just myself being able to forgive him for his actions.”

Freundel is set to be sentenced May 15. He faces up to more than 50 years in prison.

WJZ will continue to follow this story and let you know what happens.