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 1 Collection or Record:
Item
Identifier: B002.01.0104.0152.00015
Abstract
Letter from C.D. Spivak to M. Schneiber. Spivak tells Schneiber that he does not really know how he can help her regarding David Gordon’s case. Spivak explains that Gordon left the sanatorium on March 3, 1912 after about five months of treatment. Spivak tells Schneiber that he received a letter from Gordon on March 17, 1912 that stated he felt much better in Tucson. Spivak reminds Schneiber that JCRS cannot do much more for him than the Jewish Aid Society can. He imagines the Jewish...
Dates:
1912 March 30
