WASHINGTON (DC)
NBC Washington
[with video]
By James Doubek and Chris Gordon
Jewish women demonstrated Friday outside the D.C. courthouse where an Orthodox rabbi accused of secretly videotaping women taking a ritual bath was appearing, as prosecutors sought to scour his computers for more possible victims.
Barry Freundel, 63, is charged with misdemeanor voyeurism involving six women. Prosecutors say Freundel secretly videotaped women as they undressed to prepare for a ritual bath in the National Capital Mikvah in Georgetown.
A group of demonstrators stood in front of D.C. Superior Court to support women the rabbi is accused of recording. Some carried signs reading “#SAFEMIKVEH” and “#NoPleaDeal.”
“It’s crucial that everyone, Jewish or not, stand up and say, ‘These people need to be treated with respect and with dignity,'” said Carly Pildis, 29, one of the organizers of the demonstration. “I’m Jewish, and if you hurt converts, I’m going to come after you.”
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