Victims of mikvah-peeping rabbi reach $14.25 million settlement with his synagogue
Published August 28, 2018
“In one way it feels like closure because it’s been out there for so long,” wrote Bethany Mandel, a columnist who has written about her experience as one of Freundel’s victims, in a message to JTA. “But this case has a way of reopening itself again and again. The last time was the false alarm about his release, the next time will likely be the actual release.”
“No amount could ever be enough for all our pain and disappointment, for irreparable injury to my bonds of trust and for the psychological damage,” another victim, who did not want to share her name, told JTA in a statement communicated via her attorney. “But I’m very happy that we have reached a settlement. It offers a kind of closure for me and for all the victims, and a feeling that we received a bit of justice to help end a very long chapter we all wish to forget.”
A victim could receive more than the designated amount if she experienced additional harm in a number of ways. This includes women who were videotaped multiple times or for an extended period of time, or women whose conversion was adversely affected by the videotaping. It also includes women who suffered sickness or physical or emotional distress, or who received treatment or a medical diagnosis due to the abuse. Women whose romantic relationship, Jewish practice or professional or social lives were adversely affected are also eligible for additional payment.
“Going to trial, this was really an existential threat to the synagogue,” said Elanit Jakabovics, former president of Kesher’s board of directors. “This could have bankrupted us and closed us down. That threat was always there. That it seems like it’s coming to an end is a relief.”
Jakabovics said that because many of Freundel’s victims have remained anonymous, it’s hard for the synagogue to provide help to them. She said the synagogue did reach out to those who have identified themselves, and has offered counseling and resources for those seeking help.
Moving forward, she said, the synagogue does not plan to emphasize combating sexual abuse or place coping with the scandal’s legacy on the front burner. She reiterated that as part of the settlement, the synagogue did not admit guilt.
“We have to make sure that minyan takes place,” she said, referring to daily prayer services. “We decide whether to run programs based on what the community wants.
“Combating sexual abuse is always on the forefront of everyone’s mind,” she added. “I don’t know whether I would say that’s a number one priority for a shul, because the number one priority for the shul is minyan.”
The clas action suit, brought by nine victims, claimed the synagogue and the affiliated institutions were negligent in not further investigating reports of inappropriate behavior by Freundel.
The other defendants are the National Capital Mikvah, as Kesher’s affiliated ritual bath is known; the Beth Din of America, the Orthodox rabbinical court system through whom Freundel conducted conversions; and the Rabbinical Council of America, the umbrella Orthodox rabbis’ association affiliated with the rabbinic courts.
In August 2017, the synagogue hired a new permanent rabbi, Hyim Shafner.