Rabbi Barry Freundel Quits Post at Towson University

By JTA March 1, 2015

Rabbi Barry Freundel, who pleaded guilty to voyeurism charges, has resigned as a professor at Towson University in Maryland.

Freundel submitted his letter of resignation to the suburban Baltimore university on Thursday, Towson spokesman Ray Feldmann told the Baltimore Sun.

His resignation is effective March 27. Freundel had taught ethics and religion since 2009 and was tenured. He was on paid leave since his arrest in October.

Last week, Freundel pleaded guilty to 52 counts of misdemeanor voyeurism for videotaping women undressing in the mikvah at his prominent Washington synagogue, Kesher Israel. He is facing a maximum penalty of 52 years in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines when he is sentenced in Washington Superior Court on May 15.

Investigators discovered secret cameras installed in the mikvah shower room and additional recording devices in his home.

Kesher Israel, an Orthodox congregation, has fired Freundel, 63, and ordered him to vacate its rabbinic residence. He reportedly will leave the home in early March.

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