National Capital Mikvah Video Recording Class Action Settlement

A $14.25 million class action settlement has been reached to benefit women who were videotaped by Rabbi Bernard Freundel and/or disrobed in the ritual bath or other National Capital Mikvah facilities between July 1, 2005 and Oct. 14, 2014.

In October 2014, Freundel was arrested for secretly videotaping women without their consent at National Capital Mikvah.

This class action settlement resolves claims brought against Georgetown Synagogue – Kesher Israel Congregation, the National Capital Mikvah Inc., the Rabbinical Council of America Inc., and the Beth Din of the United States of America Inc.

Plaintiffs in the class action brought claims of negligent hiring, training, retention, and supervision; negligent infliction of emotional distress; intrusion upon seclusion; breach of warranty; premises liability; and negligence.

Under the $14.25 million settlement, women who were videotaped by Freundel will receive a base payment of $25,000 each.

Other women who were not videotaped but disrobed in the ritual bath or other National Capital Mikvah facilities are eligible for a base payment of $2,500.

An investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has identified the women who were videotaped, so Class Members are not required to provide additional proof.

In addition to the base payments, all Class Members are eligible for a supplemental payment if they fill out a Claim Form.

The supplemental payment will consider a variety of factors including the number of times they were videotaped, the effect on the Class Member’s religious beliefs, level of emotional distress, and more.

An independent claims expert will review Claim Forms and determine the amount of each Class Member’s supplemental payment.

Class Members have until Nov. 13, 2018 to file a valid Claim Form.

Who’s Eligible

Eligible Class Members include: “(1) All females whom the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia identified as having been videotaped by Rabbi Bernard Freundel between July 1, 2005, and October 14, 2014, and (2) all females who disrobed, either partially or completely, in the ritual bath and/or associated facilities operated by the National Capital Mikvah, Inc. (regardless of whether they were videotaped) between July 1, 2005, and October 14, 2014.”

Potential Award

$25,000 for women who were videotaped and $2,500 for other Class Members. Further Supplement Payments may be available based on the harms suffered.

Proof of Purchase

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has determined the women who have been videotaped and which women have disrobed in the ritual bath, so no further documentation is necessary.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

11/13/2018

Case Name

Jane Doe 2, et al. v. The Georgetown Synagogue – Kesher Israel Congregation, et al., Case No. 2014 CA 8073 B, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia

Final Hearing

10/22/2018

Settlement Website

www.MikvahSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Mikvah Settlement
RG/2 Claims Administration LLC
P.O. Box 59479
Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479
Phone: (866) 742-4955
Fax: (215) 827-5551
[email protected]

Class Counsel

David Sanford
Jeremy Heisler
Alexandra Harwin
SANFORD HEISLER SHARP LLP

Ira Sherman
Joseph Cammarata
Allan M. Siegel
Matthew W. Tievsky
CHAIKIN SHERMAN CAMMARATA & SIEGEL PC

Andrew Slutkin
SILVERMAN THOMPSON SLUTKIN & WHITE LLC

Defense Counsel

Counsel for Georgetown Synagogue – Kesher Israel Congregation:
Paul Blankenstein
Ashley S. Boizelle
Amanda C. Machin
GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

Counsel for National Capital Mikvah Inc.:
Edward Clark Bacon
Patricia Maureen Thornton
BACON THORNTON & PALMER LLP

Counsel for The Rabbinical Council of America Inc.:
Evan T. Barr
Samuel Groner
Chelsea P. Azrak
Anayansi Rodriguez
FRIED FRANK HARRIS SHRIVER & JACOBSON LLP

Counsel for The Beth Din of the United States of America Inc.:
Barry G. Felder
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP

Counsel for Bernard Freundel:
Jeffrey Harris
RUBIN WINSTON DIERCKS HARRIS & COOKE LLP