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 46 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: B002.04.0342.0004.00001
Abstract
Early members of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). From left to right: Upper row: Henry Ettelson, Charles Miller, Dr. S. Ettelson, Jacob Marinoff, A.T. Scharps, Henry Rosen, lower row: Sol Mangal, Dr. C. D. Spivak, Joseph Durst, John F. Halstead. The JCRS was a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients that was founded in 1904 by a group of immigrant Jewish workingmen along with the support of several leading physicians and rabbis in Denver, Colorado. It...
Dates:
circa 1924
Item
Identifier: B002.04.0345.0001.00001
Abstract
Dr. Philip Hillkowitz sits at the head of a table in a captain's army uniform at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) offices. Hillkowitz resigned from his position at the JCRS to serve as a physician in World War I. From left to right around the table are the following people: I. Rude, Vice President; Professor Nahum Slousch; Dr. C. D. Spivak, Secretary; Louis Robinson, chairman agricultural committee; H. H. Frumess, chairman auditing committee; Captain Philip Hillkowitz, JCRS...
Dates:
1918 July
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0017.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1921, and ending December 31, 1921; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. Includes statistical data about patients for 1904-1921 and a list of donors. Most of the report consists of an obituary and memorial for Dr. O. M. Shere, 1878-1922. Also includes a portrait of O. M. Shere, who was chairman of the JCRS Medical...
Dates:
1922
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0008.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on November 10-12, 1912, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1911, and ending December 31, 1911; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that 269 patients were treated in 1911, and includes data about patients treated from 1904-1911. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including...
Dates:
1912
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0011.00001
Abstract
Reports issued in combined form for the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meetings on May 20, 1915 and April 23, 1916; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicated that 2,451 patients were treated from September 8, 1904 to December 31, 1915. Includes summaries of expenditures, portraits of national officers, and a list of all subscribers and donors. Published as Volume 10, Number 3 and 4 (July-September and...
Dates:
1916
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0005.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on February 28, 1909, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1908, and ending December 31, 1908; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that 243 patients were treated in 1908. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including age, occupation, and duration of disease), and a list of all...
Dates:
1909
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0001.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on January 29, 1905, and its operations and finances for the period of incorporation on June 25, 1904 to January 1, 1905; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that the first patients (six males and one female) were admitted on September 8, 1904. Includes images of the facility and a list of all donors.
Dates:
1905
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0004.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on February 23, 1908, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1907, and ending December 31, 1907; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that 252 patients were treated in 1907. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including initials, age, occupation, and duration of disease), and a...
Dates:
1908
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0035.00020
Abstract
A bed dedication ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Left to right: Dr. Charles D. Spivak, a founder of the JCRS, Louis Robinson, five unidentified individuals, and Dr. Isidor Bronfin. A man holds the bed plaque that says: ''In memory of, Beloved Cecele Goldston, Beloved daughter of, Sophie and Jack Goldston, 1912-1918.'' The JCRS was a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients that was founded in 1904 by a group of immigrant Jewish workingmen along with the support of...
Dates:
after 1918
Item
Identifier: B002.04.0215.0007.00001
Abstract
A group of people stand in front of the New York Pavilion at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Charles Spivak is pictured in the front row, eighth from the right. The JCRS was a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients that was founded in 1904 by a group of immigrant Jewish workingmen along with the support of several leading physicians and rabbis in Denver, Colorado. The sanitorium was located on West Colfax Avenue just outside of Denver.
Dates:
1910-1919