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Spivak, C. D. (Charles D.), 1861-1927

 Person

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 4 Collections and/or Records:

Beck Archives' Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society Collection

 Collection
Identifier: B307
Abstract

Dr. Jeanne Abrams of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society of the Center for Judaic Studies collected materials of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society separate from the JCRS Records. Collection contains a draft of "The Origins of Denver's JCRS" by Dr. Charles Spivak, newspaper articles, issues of patients' magazine Hatikvah, contribution forms, "Thirty Years of Saving Lives" history of JCRS sanitorium, JCRS programs and pamphlets and, books related JCRS from 1900 through 1982.

Dates: 1900-1982

Group Photographs, 1904-1950

 File
Identifier: B002.04.0360.0005
Scope and Contents

Photographs of patients, staff, and Boards, including photographs of Dr. Hilkowitz in World War I uniform.

Dates: 1904-1950

Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society Records

 Collection
Identifier: B002
Abstract The Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society was known as the JCRS and was founded in Denver, Colorado in 1904 as a non-sectarian sanatorium to treat tuberculosis (TB) patients, free of charge, in all stages of the disease. The society was one of the leading tuberculosis sanatoria in the country at the turn of the century founded by a group of immigrant Eastern European Jewish men, many of whom were themselves victims of TB. Headed by Dr. Charles Spivak as Secretary (1904-1927) and by Dr....
Dates: 1897-1989; Majority of material found within 1904-1973

Oral History Interview with Henry "Ruby" Rubenstein, 1979 April 2

 Item
Identifier: B098.01.0002.00043
Abstract

Interview covers Henry (aka Ruby) Rubenstein's arrival in Denver from Russia by himself at the age of 14. He was also a patient at JCRS and later an employee. He talks about his memories of Dr. Charles Spivak, patients, living and working at JCRS and JCRS events.

Dates: 1979 April 2