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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 and born in 1848. He was blessed with five sisters. Abe, who initially spelled his surname Leibowitz, arrived some time before 1906. We know this as the Government Gazette announcement of his naturalization in 1921 noted that he was naturalized on 21 July 1920 and that he had already been in the country for 14 years. On his application, he was listed as a storekeeper and butcher. 

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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 listed as living in Vryburg.  He was donating to Jewish causes by 1915. In the Vryburg district, he worked in partnership with Abbie Lewis in Madiboego and then Woolf Freidman. Woolf (brother of Sam and Michael) was related Abe's mother. Their company was called Lax-Friedman and they were in the skins and hides trade. They traded in Vryburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Abe was later joined by his sisters Tzirre (married Chanan Poliak) and Pessa (married Morris Wald). Later, he moved to Gobabis in Namibia. He passed away in 1958 and is buried in Johannesburg. 

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The town of Mazeikiai was located on the railway line between Libau (Liepaja) an Romny, in Ukraine (built in 1868) and five years later it was connected to Riga by rail. Hence, the town and its Jewish community were connected to the Jews of Courland. This would explain why the Lax (Lubavitch) family had family in Riga, Lativa. See Raymond Ravinsky’s account of his trip to Mazeikiai.

Zionist Record Greetings, 1915

Zionist Record Greetings, 1915

Puts Abe Lax in town before that

Abraham Lewis and Abraham Lax, Mariboego, announce their intent to apply

Abraham Lewis and Abraham Lax, Mariboego, announce their intent to apply

Government Gazette

Abe Lax is granted citizenship

Abe Lax is granted citizenship

Government Gazette

Abe Lax and Abby Lewis go bankrupt - 1923

Abe Lax and Abby Lewis go bankrupt - 1923

Bankruptcy was common

Bankruptcy was common

The five Leibowitz sisters

The five Leibowitz sisters

Their Mother was Henne-Leah Friedman, two joined brother Abe in Vryburg.

Inside Berre's house in Mazeikiai

Inside Berre's house in Mazeikiai

Leibowitz Family-Mazeikiai in the 1920s

Leibowitz Family-Mazeikiai in the 1920s

Family 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.

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 2021

Windhoek Archives - 9 July 2021

David 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 death

Abe Lax death

He is listed as a farmer from Gobabis. His age is at death s 74, indicating he was born in 1884.

Abe Lax Death

Abe Lax Death

Parents names are mentioned, Pauline Wald signed

Abe Lax

Abe Lax

Photo provided by Henry Wald

Siblings reunite in Vryburg

Siblings reunite in Vryburg

Abe Lax with his sister, Zirre Poliak

Morris Wald, Lax-Friedman

Morris Wald, Lax-Friedman

It would appear that Abe Lax and the Friedman brothers were in business together. Henry joined them when he arrived.

Abe Lax's Will

Abe Lax's Will

Vryburg Hebrew Congregation is a beneficiary

Abe Lax Will

Abe Lax Will

Louis Simon Friedman is made executor

Vryburg community received 100 pounds

Vryburg community received 100 pounds

Abe Lax Estate

Abe Lax Estate

Jack Katz signs

Money for Vryburg Jewish community

Money for Vryburg Jewish community

Sarah Cuddles Lewis

Sarah Cuddles Lewis

Louis Simon Friedman is Executor

Louis Simon Friedman is Executor

L.S. Friedman - Louis Simon

L.S. Friedman - Louis Simon

He was the executor of Abe's estate and practiced law in Vryburg till he joined the army.

Vryburg Shul

Vryburg Shul

Vryburg Shul

Vryburg Shul

Abe Lax

Abe Lax

Westpark Cemetery

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