Prosecutors: Barry Freundel recorded over 150 women at mikvah

Uriel Heilman

(JTA) – Rabbi Barry Freundel secretly recorded more than 150 women undressing at the mikvah adjacent to his Washington synagogue, prosecutors reportedly told a meeting of victims.

Wednesday’s meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington for Freundel’s alleged victims was the first time women from the community learned of the scope of the peeping Tom videos, the Associated Press reported. So far, only six of Freundel’s alleged victims have been identified by name.

Freundel, 63, was arrested last October on six charges of voyeurism after investigators discovered secret cameras installed in the mikvah shower room and additional recording devices in his home. His Orthodox synagogue, Kesher Israel, immediately suspended him and later fired him, ordering him to vacate the shul’s rabbinic residence.

But Freundel, who reportedly separated from his wife after his arrest, has refused to leave the residence, and the congregation has taken the case to the Beth Din of America.

Freundel has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.