Lax
Abraham Lubavitch (1884-1958), known in South Africa as Abe Lax, moved from Mažeikiai in Lithuania to South Africa. He was the only son of Bere Leibovitz and Henne Friedman, born in 1848. He was blessed with five sisters. Abe, who initially spelled his surname Leibowitz, arrived sometime before 1906. We know this because the Government Gazette announcement of his naturalization in 1921 stated that he was naturalized on July 21, 1920, and that he had already been in the country for 14 years. On his application, he listed himself as a storekeeper and butcher.
He reached Vryburg before 1910. On 3 February, the Government Gazette announced that he was changing his family name from Leibowitz to Lax. At the time, he was recorded as living in Vryburg. By 1915, he was donating to Jewish causes. In the Vryburg district, he partnered with Abbie Lewis in Madiboego, then with Woolf Friedman. Woolf (brother of Sam and Michael) was related to Abe's mother. Their company, Lax-Friedman, operated in the skins and hides trade. They traded in Vryburg, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. Later, Abe was joined by his sisters Tzirre (married to Chanan Poliak) and Pessa (married to Morris Wald).
Eventually, he moved to Gobabis in Namibia. He died in 1958 and is buried in Johannesburg. He left money to the local community and Sarah (Cuddles) Lewis (nee Sebba), with whom he was reportedly romantically involved.
The town of Mazeikiai was located on the railway line between Libau (Liepaja) and Romny in Ukraine (built in 1868), and five years later, it was connected to Riga by rail. As a result, the town and its Jewish community were linked to the Jews of Courland. This explains why the Lax (Lubavitch) family had relatives in Riga, Latvia. See Raymond Ravinsky’s account of his trip to Mazeikiai.
 Zionist Record Greetings, 1915Puts Abe Lax in town before that |  Abraham Lewis and Abraham Lax, Mariboego, announce their intent to applyGovernment Gazette |  Abe Lax is granted citizenshipGovernment Gazette |
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 Abe Lax and Abby Lewis go bankrupt - 1923 |  Bankruptcy was common |  The five Leibowitz sistersTheir Mother was Henne-Leah Friedman, two joined brother Abe in Vryburg. |
 Inside Berre's house in Mazeikiai |  Leibowitz Family-Mazeikiai in the 1920sFamily shot with Bere and Henne; all 5 daughters are present; their brother, Abe Leibowitz (later, Lax) was already in SA. |  Bere Leibovitz (seated on the left) and eldest, Esther.Father of Abe Lax and Pessa Wald and Cirre Poliakov. Esther, married to Itzikson. They had 5 children. Their daughter Shoshana, came to Israel in 1936/7 and married Arenstam. Standing is Mirjasha. |
 Windhoek Archives - 9 July 2021David Akinkin, a Venezuelan Jew living in Windhoek, who I had never met, went to the local archive and read the files and shared these photos. A mensch! |  Abe Lax deathHe is listed as a farmer from Gobabis. His age is at death s 74, indicating he was born in 1884. |  Abe Lax DeathParents names are mentioned, Pauline Wald signed |
 Abe LaxPhoto provided by Henry Wald |  Siblings reunite in VryburgAbe Lax with his sister, Zirre Poliak |  Morris Wald, Lax-FriedmanIt would appear that Abe Lax and the Friedman brothers were in business together. Henry joined them when he arrived. |
 Abe Lax's WillVryburg Hebrew Congregation is a beneficiary |  Abe Lax WillLouis Simon Friedman is made executor |  Vryburg community received 100 pounds |
 Abe Lax EstateJack Katz signs |  Money for Vryburg Jewish community |  Sarah Cuddles Lewis |
 Louis Simon Friedman is Executor |  L.S. Friedman - Louis SimonHe was the executor of Abe's estate and practiced law in Vryburg till he joined the army. |  Vryburg Shul |
 Vryburg Shul |  Abe LaxWestpark Cemetery |