Biography
A Jewish Immigrant from Tsarist Russia, Spivak pursued medicine out of a desire to be of service to humanity. In 1896, when his wife Jennie showed signs of incipient tuberculosis, Spivak moved their young family to Denver to take advantage of Colorado’s reputation as the World’s Sanatorium. Spivak's concern for the indignant consumptives he saw flooding into the state led to his founding the Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society (JCRS), a sanatorium dedicated to the care of all, even those in the advanced stages of TB. Spivak also ensured that the primarily Eastern European Jewish patients were cared for in an environment that respected their culture- unlike many such institutions, the JCRS featured a kosher kitchen and observed the Jewish Sabbath and holidays.
Dr. Spivak was also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Denver from 1896-1901.
Citation:
Leḳsiḳon fun der nayer Yidisher liṭeraṭur, 1965 (Spiṿaḳ, Ḥayim; d. 10-16-1927; b. as Ḥayim-Ḥayḳl Spiṿaḳoṿsḳi; d. in Denver, Colorado) Yehoash. Idish ṿerṭerbukh, 1926: t.p. (Dr. Ḥayim Spiṿaḳ) t.p. verso (Dr. C. D. Spivak [in rom.]) Who's who in American Jewry, 1926 (Spivak, Charles; physician, author; b. 12-25-1861, Krementschug, Russia).
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: B002.01.0104.0165.00013
Abstract
Letter from J. Schkolnick to C.D. Spivak. Schkolnick explains that he is not able to spare any cash for his brother’s burial, but his brother did belong to the Workmen’s Circle Branch 80 and they would be able to pay for Adolph Schkolnick’s burial. Schkolnick explains to Spivak that he must receive a copy of his brother’s death certificate to show the Workmen’s Circle so that they would be willing to pay for the burial. Schkolnick also requested that Spivak send him any papers left behind...
Dates:
1911 December 21
Item
Identifier: B002.01.0104.0165.00019
Abstract
Typed letter from J. Schkolnick to C.D. Spivak. Schkolnick enclosed a check for $25.40 to cover the funeral expenses and the death certificate of his brother, Adolph Schkolnick. Schkolnick asks Spivak to forward the death certificate and any other belongings left behind from his brother. He also includes a postscript telling Spivak that he is unsure why his brother failed to tell Spivak that he belonged to the Workmen’s Circle, but figured it would help him gain admittance to the sanatorium...
Dates:
1912 January 4
