Sunday, December 14, 2014

Why I have little sympathy for Kesher Israel

Recently, Congregation Kesher Israel of Washington, DC has been in the news because its' former Rabbi, Barry Freundel was accused of illegally videotaping female congregants before going to the Mikvah (ritualarium). He was fired and has a court date next month and faces up to six years in prison if convicted of voyeurism.

Yes it's a horrible crime and yes it never should have happened and I feel bad for the victims.

However, this synagogue, which is supposed to be the Ohev Zedek (OZ, young modern singles shul) of the Nation's Capital had this man as their rabbi/spiritual leader for twenty-five years. Shouldn't there have been some clues that he may not have been fit to lead them? What person would want to take this job of leading this synagogue who seemed to put their eggs in one basket and now the eggs went sour?

At some point, there was a disconnect between the Rabbi and the congregants/board of directors. That never was addressed until it was too late.