A D.C. rabbi charged with voyeurism may be forced out on the streets. Barry Freundel is still living in a home owned by his former synagogue. Members of the synagogue met Monday night to vote on whether to evict him.
Congregants met at Kesher Israel synagogue Monday night where they have been pretty tight-lipped as to what took place. But we know it was called in order to address where Barry Freundel's case currently stands and how it affects the synagogue as well as the victims.
Attendees filed into the synagogue declining to speak about the current situation looming over their synagogue. Just a few blocks down the street in Georgetown, a home owned by Kesher Israel sat in the dark. The lights were out and a newspaper on the stoop dated January 28 is still on the steps.
January 1st was the last day Freundel had to pick up his belongings and move out. It is a mandate from the synagogue following his arrest for allegedly secretly videotaping women during a ritual bath known as mikvah at the synagogue.
But according to congregants here, Freundel is still residing in the home.
Back in December, 27-year-old Emma Shulevitz was the first of the alleged victims to speak out. She claims Freundel asked her remove her clothes and participate in a "practice dunk" -- a precursor to the actual ritual she didn't even know existed.
Police believe Freundel used a small camera disguised as a clock radio to capture the women as they unclothed and performed their mikvah.
This is the first time in 30 years Kesher Israel has been without a rabbi.
Freundel is due back in court in two weeks where he is facing six counts of voyeurism.