Rabbi Barry Freundel was charged with six counts of voyeurism amid allegations that he secretly recorded women showering in his synagogue’s mikvah.

A Washington, D.C. synagogue has reached a settlement with people who filed a class action lawsuit after the synagogue’s former rabbi secretly videotaped women in the mikvah ritual bath.

If the court approves the settlement, the cases would be resolved on a class-wide basis for $14.25 million, rather than the $100 million originally sought, according to a statement by the synagogue, Kesher Israel.

Rabbi Barry Freundel was fired from his post and arrested in 2014 for using a hidden camera to spy on women in the mikvah, many of them naked. He eventually pleaded guilty to 52 counts of voyeurism and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Kesher Israel and other institutional defendants moved to dismiss the class-action cases in August 2016, has arguing that it has no prior knowledge of Freundel’s voyeurism. Kesher itself, along with co-defendant the National Capital Mikvah, had immediately reported his illegal activity to law enforcement upon discovery. It also immediately suspended and then fired Freundel.

Plaintiffs soon after began to inter into settlement discussions. The payments will be covered by insurance.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount