Uniformed officers and plainclothes detectives swarmed a house at 30th and O streets, Northwest, at about 8:30 Tuesday morning. According to neighbors, the house belongs to Barry Freundel, the rabbi at Kesher Israel, a prominent Orthodox synagogue in Georgetown. The neighbors say Freundel was led away in handcuffs by Metropolitan Police Department officers following what appeared to be a major investigation. Cops were later seen removing computers and other items from the residence.
“You don’t usually see a rabbi led away a handcuffs,” said Michael Friedman, who lives across the street from Freundel.
Police sources confirmed the investigation and the arrest, but said the warrant was sealed. “We’re still on the scene,” says MPD spokesperson Gwendolyn Crump.
Kesher Israel. Photograph by Harry Jaffe.
Any charges against Freundel are still unknown. A female voice behind the locked front door of Freundel’s house declined Washingtonian’s request for an interview after the cops left the block. “Sorry, he’s not here right now,” the voice said.
As Kesher Israel’s rabbi, Freundel is the spiritual leader to a congregation that counts Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and former senator Joe Lieberman among its many influential members. Synagogue members contacted by Washingtonian said they are unaware of today’s incident.
Freundel has been at Kesher Israel since 1989, and also serves as the vice president of the Rabbinnical Council of Greater Washington, the Orthodox body that supervises kosher dietary laws.
UPDATE, 3 PM: Crump confirms Freundel’s arrest and says the rabbi is being charged with voyeurism.
UPDATE, 11:25 PM: In a statement, Kesher Israel’s board of directors says Freundel has been suspended without pay.
“This is a painful moment for Kesher Israel Congregation and the entire Jewish community,” the statement reads. “At this challenging time, we draw strength from our faith, our tradition, and our fellow congregants. Upon receiving information regarding potentially inappropriate activity, the Board of Directors quickly alerted the appropriate officials. Throughout the investigation, we cooperated fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.”
Kreundel, 62, is expected to appear in DC Superior Court on Wednesday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Kesher Israel Rabbi Barry Freundel Arrested at Georgetown Home Tuesday Morning
Freundel, 62, is being charged with voyeurism.
Uniformed officers and plainclothes detectives swarmed a house at 30th and O streets, Northwest, at about 8:30 Tuesday morning. According to neighbors, the house belongs to Barry Freundel, the rabbi at Kesher Israel, a prominent Orthodox synagogue in Georgetown. The neighbors say Freundel was led away in handcuffs by Metropolitan Police Department officers following what appeared to be a major investigation. Cops were later seen removing computers and other items from the residence.
“You don’t usually see a rabbi led away a handcuffs,” said Michael Friedman, who lives across the street from Freundel.
Police sources confirmed the investigation and the arrest, but said the warrant was sealed. “We’re still on the scene,” says MPD spokesperson Gwendolyn Crump.
Any charges against Freundel are still unknown. A female voice behind the locked front door of Freundel’s house declined Washingtonian’s request for an interview after the cops left the block. “Sorry, he’s not here right now,” the voice said.
As Kesher Israel’s rabbi, Freundel is the spiritual leader to a congregation that counts Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and former senator Joe Lieberman among its many influential members. Synagogue members contacted by Washingtonian said they are unaware of today’s incident.
Freundel has been at Kesher Israel since 1989, and also serves as the vice president of the Rabbinnical Council of Greater Washington, the Orthodox body that supervises kosher dietary laws.
UPDATE, 3 PM: Crump confirms Freundel’s arrest and says the rabbi is being charged with voyeurism.
UPDATE, 11:25 PM: In a statement, Kesher Israel’s board of directors says Freundel has been suspended without pay.
“This is a painful moment for Kesher Israel Congregation and the entire Jewish community,” the statement reads. “At this challenging time, we draw strength from our faith, our tradition, and our fellow congregants. Upon receiving information regarding potentially inappropriate activity, the Board of Directors quickly alerted the appropriate officials. Throughout the investigation, we cooperated fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.”
Kreundel, 62, is expected to appear in DC Superior Court on Wednesday.
Find Harry Jaffe and Benjamin Freed on Twitter at @harryjaffe and @brfreed.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Smithsonian Says It Will Decide Who Runs Its Museums, Thanks; Trump’s Parade Will Close Some DC Streets for Days; and a Maryland Bear Got a Ride to a Park in Virginia
DC Building Owner Hangs Giant US Flag With Extra Star for Greenland
18 Great Places to Work in the DC Area
Dupont Circle Park Will Be Closed During Pride Weekend Because a DJ Plans an Unpermitted Party There, the Park Service Says
DC Council Poised to Rename High School After Basketball Legend John Thompson
Washingtonian Magazine
June Issue: Pride Guide
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
“Mean Mugging” at Ward 8 Candidate Forum Leads to Arrest
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
The Inside Story of How Drag Queens Got Into the Kennedy Center to Protest Trump’s Appearance
Trump Got the Best Boos at the Kennedy Center, Musk’s Penance Tour Begins, and We Found Terrific Bolivian Food in Falls Church
MAP: Road Closures for Trump’s Military Parade
Elon Musk Is Sorry He Posted Mean Things About Trump, Chatter About Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Age Increases, and Few in GOP Say They’ll Attend Trump’s Parade
Meet the DC Tech CEO With a Flip Phone and No Social Media
Meet the Man Who Wants to Stop DC From Changing Clocks Each Spring and Fall
The House Will Vote on Three Bills That Take Aim at DC This Week
Biting, Stinging, Red Imported Fire Ants Are Closing In on the DC Area