The RCA Twice Investigated Rabbi Barry Freundel For Alleged Conversion-Related Misbehavior – Including An Alleged Sexual Dalliance With A Female In The Process Of Conversion

The largest body of Orthodox rabbis in North America, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), recently investigated Rabbi Barry Freundel after allegations were made that Freundel was sleeping with at least one woman who was in the process of converting to Judaism under Freundel’s auspices.

Above: Rabbi Barry Freundel

Updated 4:04 pm CDT

The RCA Twice Investigated Rabbi Barry Freundel For Alleged Conversion-Related Misbehavior – Including An Alleged Sexual Dalliance With A Female In The Process Of Conversion
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com

The largest body of Orthodox rabbis in North America, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), recently investigated Rabbi Barry Freundel after allegations were made that Freundel was sleeping with at least one woman who was in the process of converting to Judaism under Freundel’s auspices, the Forward reported.

Freundel was arrested yesterday at his Washington, DC home and charged with voyeurism. He allegedly used a hidden camera and recorder disguised as a clock radio to secretly videotape naked women as they prepared to immerse in the mikvah of his Kesher Israel synagogue in the Georgetown neighborhood of the nation’s capital.

Freundel is US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew’s and former US Senator Joseph Lieberman’s rabbi.

Freundel was seen by a congregant placing the hidden camera clock radio above a shower stall in the mikvah preparation/changing room. Freundel told police he placed the clock radio there for “ventilation,” his police incident report says.

The RCA’s president, Rabbi Leonard Matanky, reportedly confirmed that allegations of “ethical issues that came up regarding an issue with a woman” were made against Freundel to the RCA this summer. The RCA claims to have investigated those allegations but did not have enough evidence to act.

“We were in a position where, unfortunately, the accusation was made without the ability to have supporting evidence and supporting documentation, so we did the best we could,” Matansky reportedly said.

A person in the travel industry reportedly told the Forward that s/he told the RCA this summer that Freundel – who is married – made a reservation for one hotel room to be shared by himself and a woman who was in the process of converting to Judaism – something forbidden under halakha (Orthodox Jewish law) even if no sexual contact occurred.

Matanky reportedly claimed the RCA questioned Freundel about that alleged incident, but the travel industry person who made the allegation would not provide supporting evidence for legal reasons.

“There were conversations with Rabbi Freundel on this matter. Those who were involved with the conversations were satisfied with the explanation and no further action was taken,” Matanky told the paper.

But the RCA did not tell the board of Kesher Israel synagogue, Freundel’s employer, about the allegation, a member of the synagogue who is “close to the situation who declined to be identified due to privacy concerns,” told the Forward.

This incident wasn’t the first time the RCA has allegedly investigated Freundel but taken no action against him.

Rabbi Matanky told the Forward that unrelated accusations were made against Freundel “a number of years ago.” Those accusations were related to the administration of conversions and were not sexual, Matansky claimed. But he refused to describe what those accusations actually were, claiming that confidentialities of the process of converting to Judaism prevented him from doing so.

“There was nothing illegal or criminal in the activities [of Freundel that the RCA says it investigated years ago], and at the time, we did look into it, there were conversations, there were discussions regarding that. It wasn’t that a person’s conversion was done wrong, it was regarding the administration of conversion, not the halakha,” Matansky reportedly said.

That investigation was a joint investigation by the the RCA and the Beth-Din of America [Beit Din of America], the RCA’s rabbinical court.

Freundel is still a member of the executive committee of the RCA.

He also served as the RCA’s point man on conversion to Judaism and chaired the RCA’s committee that rewrote the standards and practices for conversions undertaken in response to negotiations with Israel’s haredi-controlled Chief Rabbinate.

The travel industry source mentioned above reportedly told the Forward that he also told the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington – the Washington Vaad, the DC-area’s Orthodox rabbinic body which controls conversions and kosher food supervision and maintains a beit din (rabbinic court). The Vaad’s president, Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum, reportedly refused to comment on Freundel’s arrest.

The RCA’s Matansky, however, did comment.

“The RCA is devastated with the possibility that one of our members, a current member of the executive, a former [chair of the conversion committee], has been accused, and may have violated the sanctity of innocent women,” Matanky said. “Our hearts go out to any victim, and we will do our utmost to be supportive of these women, of anyone,” Matansky told the Forward.

However, no statement about Freundel's arrest appears on the RCA's website.

Kesher Israel, Freundel's synagogue, suspended Freundel yesterday without pay.

Cathy Lanier, Washington, DC’s police chief, is scheduled to meet with the Orthodox community Sunday night at the liberal Modern Orthodox Ohev Sholom — The National Synagogue. She will discuss privacy issues related to Freundel's case, according to an alert to the community released by Ohev Sholom, the JTA reported.

Lanier will speak about “what images may exist, from what time period, whether those images may have been disclosed or distributed, and how will those images be treated with sensitivity by law enforcement and prosecutors,” the synagogue's release reportedly said.

Related Posts:

Freundel Voyeurism Arrest 1.

Freundel Voyeurism Arrest 2.

Freundel's Police Incident Report.

Comments

[Jbullfrog]

Have ger will travel

[Jbullfrog]

My Rabbi, not the sharpest pencil in the case, put a hidden camera by the keilim mikvah.

[Scott]

THE RABBINICAL COUNCIL OF GREATER WASHINGTON

STATEMENT

The Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington was shocked to learn of the criminal

charges being brought against Rabbi Barry Freundel. The privacy of women is central

to our beliefs and we deplore, in the strongest words possible, any violation of a

woman’s privacy. We have deep sympathy and compassion for any woman whose

privacy was violated. Jewish law demands that all rabbis and Jewish leaders conduct

themselves ethically and morally and in accordance with the standards of Torah and

Halacha. We deplore and condemn any conduct that desecrates the trust placed in

Rabbis and communal leaders. We have zero tolerance for any behavior that violates

Jewish law and the laws of the society in which we live.

We have initiated the internal process with regard to Rabbi Freundel’s status in the

Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington.

As this is an active matter in the criminal justice system we must reserve comment on

the pending case.

[Account Deleted]

This all comes from poor parenting.

No doubt this rabbi would sneek a peek from under his father's talit, at the Kohanim as they blessed the congregation. I bet the father just let it slide. It is an obvious red flag for future peeping behaviors.

This event calls for a public gathering in a large major sports arena to decry several evils of society that are to blame for this great man's indiscretions.

I suggest an Asifa at Citi Field to:

1. Ban the use of all electrical devices

2. Create organizations in all communities to identify at risk youth who peek at the Kohanim during their blessings

3. Demand every community keep the women dressed at all times even when alone in the mikveh. You just never know.

Date to be announced.

[Account Deleted]

One more important action is required.

Donate early, donate often to this blog.

If you are reading this, the least you can do is to help support the service.

[jewishwhistleblower]

http://forward.com/articles/207400/rabbi-barry-freundel-accused-in-mikveh-peeping-see/
...
Cathy Lanier, the city’s police chief, is set to meet Sunday night at another Orthodox shul, Ohev Sholom — The National Synagogue, to discuss privacy issues related to the case, Ohev Sholom stated in an alert to the community, citing “what images may exist, from what time period, whether those images may have been disclosed or distributed, and how will those images be treated with sensitivity by law enforcement and prosecutors.”
...

[Allan]

2014: Rabbi Freundel accused of spying on women in mikvah.

1000 BCE: King David accused of spying on woman in bathtub.

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

2 Samuel 11:2-3

Plus ca change…

[coolest]

I heard that one of his son's friend had the idea
the Rabbi is innocent!

[dh]

She was under more than his auspices. Someone had to say it.

Radios are for ventilation? I am so bad at science. And the camera part was for, what, to beam him up?

[Yosef ben Matitya]

Though the Talmud suggests that 'ein neemanim baarayot' without a doubt, this orthodox rabbi took it too far. A real shame. Revolting.

[Another Holocene Human]

WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED.

Orthodox control of conversions was the main reason I backed off from converting in college.

Reform and Orthodox Judaism have a completely different outlook on life and how you live your faith so why can the Orthodox Rabbis sit back there and say you can't practice the religion you would like until you agree to submit to their medieval hogwash?

(And there is definitely submission involved: the immersion is a big one, then there's more fussing about food than a vegan and not just during Passover, and the RIDICULOUS gender and modesty rules, not just in daily life but right there in the synagogue ... that's fucking nonsense ... one of the best Schadenfreude moments of my life is when a friend's mother and brother who are of mixed heritage decided to go back to being Jewish from being Episcopalian. Mom was a busy career woman so she just sent little Spencer, real name, to Hebrew School for some time before she actually attended a service. When she saw the separated seating, that was it. They changed congregations the next day!)

It's all good, though ... a couple of years later I finally admitted to myself that I was an atheist and you don't need a Rabbi's approval to eat yummy Jewish food.

[Another Holocene Human]

JWB, that is really scary stuff. If the police are talking about it then it looks like they have some evidence we was distributing images. That is a crime it is a real nightmare to be a victim of because getting rid of images spread around on the internet is a never-ending battle.

(Wonders if their husbands are googling "hot chani" as we speak.)

[Grant]

He also taught at my college, Towson University. He taught mostly graduate courses as well as a few undergraduate. My roommate last year took a seminar with him on jewish ritual objects. I seem to remember my roommate taking a bunch of speed and asking me what a shofar is, then writing his entire term paper (on shofars) in one night, and getting an a. So yeah, great professor...

[Another Holocene Human]

The Rabbinical Council's assertions of moral high ground sound hollow when they had actionable evidence that this Rabbi was abusing his position as a spiritual leader and having an improper relationship with a congregant, in this case a convert who is even more vulnerable.

Such relationships are not illegal, but they are very abusive, just as if a psychiatrist were to abuse a vulnerable patient and initiate a sexual relationship with them.

If a professional did such a thing they would be professionally sanctioned and unable to practice but when a religious leader does such a thing, showing how wise and holy religious organizations are, they always call the accuser(s) liar(s) and never subject the religious leader to any serious sanction, allowing them to continue preying on congregants and other vulnerable people sent their way.

[Another Holocene Human]

Okay, serious question, guys--I'm looking at the Amazon page for the Kotzker Rebbe book (Jewish Wisdom for Daily Life). My wife is died-in-the-wool Reform Jew (she can't even stand Conservative services). Do you think she will like this book or throw it across a room? She's a very spiritual person but also a feminist (and I like her that way).

[Shmarya]

JWB –

That's a JTA article the Forward re-posted.

http://www.jta.org/2014/10/15/news-opinion/united-states/rabbi-in-voyeurism-case-seen-as-distant-and-until-now-morally-strict

[Yochanan Lavie]

Chag sameach everybody.

[Jbullfrog]

I'm sure she will love the book! The Kotzker Rebbe, despite his reputation as a brilliant scholar with zero tolerance for false piety, was a big
believer in women's rights and atheism-as well as for no F'N
Halachas about food. Your holy wife will love this book. Holocene my ass.

[Sarek]

But wouldn't the camera(s) serve as proof that the conversion was conducted properly. If nothing else, it would show that the woman converting could recognize a properly circumcised schmeckele.

[Jewish Cynic]

From the JTA article:

"The arrest marks a startling turn in the career of a rabbi known as a national leader in establishing precepts for conversion and as a strict moralist, who just last month railed against the corrosive effect of pornography on marriages."

Always watch out for the clergy (and other "moral authorities" like NY governors) who rail against pornography and other sexual activity.

[Frummie Where?]

This is absolutely deplorable. The Forward article speaks beautifully to the extreme level of hillul hashem that this is. On another level, I wonder whether the strictures of Orthodoxy weigh folks down to the point where they are like frogs swimming to the surface for a breather from the life underwater. The inability of the leaders to follow basic guidelines of decency should raise global systemic questions in the community.

Chag Sameach.

[Another Holocene Human]

Freudel just hit Raw Story.

Every time RCA goes in public talking about their faith during this tribulations and tries to burnish their image for un-personing a tovarisch who's already been arrested, remember--

He was setting up improper liaisons with female converts. They had proof. And they did nothing.

You know what the biggest risk for recidivism is? Never getting caught, or getting caught, not getting punished. This sort of deviancy is driven by fantasy, as they get away with more and more the fantasies get wilder and the perp has to do sicker and crazier things to get the same thrill.

[Another Holocene Human]

"The inability of the leaders to follow basic guidelines of decency should raise global systemic questions in the community."

Insert they're just converts, it's acceptable to use shiksas for sex, it's a he said-she said, innocent until proven guilty, liars who apostacized because they couldn't handle the rigors of following the commandments are jealous of our joyous life and want to tear us down....

[Another Holocene Human]

Thanks, jbullfrog.

Btw Holocene refers to the current era of geologic and biological history on Earth. In other words, I am saying that I think young earth creationists are numbskulls many times over.

[ah-pee-chorus]

Pard- I think it'll be more effective to have an asifa to ban mikvas altogether. They are a source of much immorality not to mention filthy water.

Allan- At least this guy didn't kill anyone's husband.

Jewish Cynic - Exactly. The ones who can't control themselves are always trying to control others.

Another Holocene Human - True. They have no excuse for allowing him to remain on the board or to continue performing conversions. There was more than enough evidence pointing to a serious problem.

[ah-pee-chorus]

Pard- I think it'll be more effective to have an asifa to ban mikvas altogether. They are a source of much immorality not to mention filthy water.

Allan- At least this guy didn't kill anyone's husband.

Jewish Cynic - Exactly. The ones who can't control themselves are always trying to control others.

Another Holocene Human - True. They have no excuse for allowing him to remain on the board or to continue performing conversions. There was more than enough evidence pointing to a serious problem.

[The fullovshitter rov]

I heard he made a webshow called my mistress, the mikva maidels. And of course mikva menuvels gone wild

[Yosef]

Perhaps there was a mechitza behind the lens so the peeper could only see a shadow?

My late uncle used to say that when he was a child and asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he would answer "a lifeguard in a mikva." He went on to be a well known historian an author. Sometimes fantasy should just stay as fantasy!

I feel sorry for the Rebitzin and the kinder as well as the other impacted people.

[Schadenfreude sounds too much like Sharon Freundel]

I can see the ads now:

Come to the Adas/Woodside/Southeast/Potomac Mikva: Guaranteed camera-free!!

Ohev Sholom - Hey, our rov is a super-left-wing homo-lover and a Zionist pig, but at least he's not a feckin' pervert.

Adas Israel - Our rabbinic scandals have been consented to by all parties.

Come to JROC for conversion - all of the domineering control, none of the inappropriate liaisons!

[Disappointed Orthodox Jew]

I find it ironic that the RCA will not accept Rabbis from YCT so they started International Rabbinic Fellowship. Not only is Freundal a creep but the RCA is more interested in protecting themselves and their power than caring for Klal Israel.

[just saying]

hey disappointed orthodox jew wanting YCT rabbis i the RCA... YCT got some issues of their own w a very connected insider there seducing young women... or at least he was for a good number of years...

[César Carlin]

Dejar Barry, you must spend some years in jail,eating kosher hamburguer with Spandau ashes