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County, Historical Society Honor Holocaust Survivor

    The Lake County Commission, in partnership with the Lake County Historical Society, has honored a Holocaust survivor for her contributions.  Edith Freiwirth was celebrated during a special service held Friday, July 12, at her synagogue in Leesburg.
    Freiwirth, who celebrated her 93rd birthday on July 15, was a native of Breslau, Germany, who was separated from her parents at the age of 13 and moved to a variety of concentration and work camps.  While imprisoned at a work camp near Auschwitz, she and her sister escaped into the forest and were found by an American soldier.  They were transported to Berlin, where they lived until the founding of Israel in 1948.  She lived there until coming to the United States in 1962, and in Leesburg since the 1980s.
    The longtime Lake County resident was the special guest at Friday’s ceremony, which was attended by Lake County Commissioners Kirby Smith and Leslie Campione, as well as Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker and Lake County Historical Society President Ray Powers.
    The recognition was organized by the historical society, which several months ago hosted an event in support of Israel after the nation was attacked on October 7.
    "We were hoping to find a Holocaust survivor," said Historical Society president Ray Powers.  "And Edith is such a wonderful person, she warrants recognition."