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 64 Collections and/or Records:
File
Identifier: B002.01.0104.0162
Abstract
JCRS Patient number 1976 and 40. Patient application, correspondence, handwritten letters, receipts, bills.
Dates:
1911 September 26 - 1911 December 31
File
Identifier: B002.01.0106.0010
Abstract
JCRS Patient #2242 see #2373. This file is undated and contains one note, no additional documents.
Dates:
undated
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
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00033
Abstract
The Joshua Cowen Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Isidor Bronfin stands fourth from left and Dr. C. D. Spivak stands second from right. Bed plaque says, '' ENDOWED BY JOSHUA L. COWEN, NEW YORK, N.Y., IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER, 1924.'' 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...
Dates:
after 1926
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0035.00018
Abstract
A bed dedication ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Bed donated in Joshua Wolfe Zeeve's memory. Dr. Charles Spivak stands in the back to the right and Dr. Philip Hillkowitz stands in back center. An unidentified woman holds a plaque that reads: "Joshua Wolfe Zeeve, May 15, 1858, October 11, 1917.'' 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...
Dates:
after 1917
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00027
Abstract
Dr. Charles D. Spivak stands right, Louis Robinson stands beside him, and Dr. Isidor Bronfin stands in back right in a white coat with several unidentified individuals at the Julius Wodiska Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). A woman in the center holds the bed's plaque which reads ''ENDOWED BY JULIUS WODISKA, NEW YORK, N.Y., IN MEMORY OF PARENTS, JACOB [dates illegible] JULIA [dates illegible].'' The JCRS was a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients that...
Dates:
after 1926
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0035.00044
Abstract
Attendees of a banquet for Medical Staff of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Philip Hillkowitz, Dr. Charles Spivak, and Dr. Isador Bronfin sit center. 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 sanatorium was located on West Colfax Avenue just outside of Denver.
Dates:
circa 1926
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00032
Abstract
The Mr. and Mrs. S. Topletz Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Bed plaque says, ''ENDOWED BY MR. AND MRS. S. TOPLETZ, DALLAS, TEXAS, 1924.'' Dr. Isidor Bronfin stands far right and Dr. Charles D. Spivak can be seen to the right in the back of the crowd. 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,...
Dates:
after 1926
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00038
Abstract
The Mrs. R. Zeeve Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Charles Spivak stands far left. Bed plaque says, ''ENDOWED BY, MRS. R. ZEEVE, SEATTLE WASH., IN MEMORY OF JUDGE THOMAS BURK, 1926.'' A newspaper held below the bed plaque bears the headline ''Why They Cheer - He Built Seattle.'' This bed was donated in memory of Judge Thomas Burke, an American lawyer, railroad builder, and judge who made his career in Seattle, Washington. The JCRS was a...
Dates:
after 1926
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0035.00019
Abstract
A bed dedication ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). The bed was donated in memory of Newman Cowen. Left to right: Dr. Herman Schwatt, Rabbi Charles Kauvar, an unidentified man, and Dr. Charles Spivak. Rabbi Kauvar stands second from left holding a plaque that says: ''Newman Cowen, Dec. 30, 1831 - Jan. 15, 1912.'' 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...
Dates:
after 1912
