"Peeping rabbi" took students to his synagogue, report says
TOWSON, Md. - A popular Washington, D.C. rabbi accused of voyeurism apparently took some of his female Towson University students to the synagogue where he's accused of secretly videotaping women, reports CBS Baltimore.
The rabbi, Barry Freundel, who taught classes at Towson since 2009, took the students to the synagogue as part of a field trip in their religious studies class, according to the station.
Freundel was arrested last week on accusations that he set up a hidden camera and recorded video of women changing in the synagogue's ritual bathing area known as a mikvah, where women immerse themselves during sacred rituals.
Now, a Towson University student is telling the Towson Towerlight newspaper that Freundel took some of his students on a field trip to his synagogue and allowed at least two Jewish female students to use the mikvah.
"He told us he was instrumental in getting it to his synagogue. He was proud of it; he proposed it as a special opportunity, something that you wouldn't be able to participate in every day," a student said, according to the station.
According to court documents, investigators found videos of six different women who they say Freundel secretly recorded on two separate dates in June 2014. Police have not said whether any of those women were from Towson.
University spokesman Ray Feldman says the school has spoken with students who "independently contacted" them regarding the investigation into Freundel and says the school is aware of field trips to the synagogue. Feldman says they are in the process of contacting all students who have ever taken classes with Freundel, according to the station.
"I really can't comment on what information students are sharing with us about their experience with Dr. Freundel but we are closely cooperating with the DC police department," Feldman said.
Towson University has suspended Freundel with pay from his teaching position.
Freundel has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him. He's expected to return to court November 12.