Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: May 9, 2000
• Invested on: September 15, 2000

Gerda Frieberg, M.S.M., North York, Ont.
Nate Leipciger, M.S.M., North York, Ont.
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

Advocates for holocaust awareness, Gerda Frieberg and Nate Leipciger were the driving force behind the 1985 opening of the Toronto Holocaust Education and Memorial Centre. The Centre’s mandate is to educate the public about the Holocaust and to apply the lessons of yesterday to prevent prejudice and racism today. It is visited annually by more than 25,000 students and other visitors from across Canada and abroad. Thanks to the pioneering work and continuing support of Ms. Frieberg and Mr. Leipciger, the Centre has become Ontario’s catalyst in human rights education.