Skip to main content

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 55 Collections and/or Records:

Mrs. R. Zeeve Bed Dedication at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, 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

Newman Cowen Bed Dedication, after 1912

 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

Original Office of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, circa 1915

 Item
Identifier: B002.04.0215.0042.00001
Abstract Interior view of the original administrative office of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) with Dr. Charles Spivak, and his associates. Spivak, center, sits at a desk with a photograph of his friend, the Yiddish poet Yehoash (Solomon Bloomgarden), in front of him. Business manager Ben Friedland talks on the telephone. An unidentified man sits in front, and an unidentified woman sits at left in the JCRS business office. The JCRS was a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients that was...
Dates: circa 1915

Physicians and Nurses of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, between 1920-1927

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0019.00042
Abstract

Dr. Philip Hillkowitz, Dr. C. D. Spivak, Dr. Isidor Bronfin, and Louis Robinson stand with a group of unidentified doctors and nurses at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). 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 was located on West Colfax Avenue just outside Denver. Dr. Hillkowitz is in the top row, center.

Dates: between 1920-1927

Plaque in Honor of Dr. Charles D. Spivak of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, circa 1937

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0019.00051
Abstract

Plaque in honor of Dr. Charles D. Spivak, founder of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). 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 was located on West Colfax Avenue just outside Denver.

Dates: circa 1937

Play Performed at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, circa 1925

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00051
Abstract

Cast of a play written by the Bookbinding Department of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Charles Spivak is pictured close to the center of the photograph. 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.

Dates: circa 1925

Portrait of Dr. Charles Spivak, between 1915-1928

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0036.00032
Abstract

Dr. Charles Spivak. Dr. Spivak was a founder of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). 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: between 1915-1928

Portrait of Dr. Charles Spivak, 1926 September 10

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0019.00084
Abstract Portrait of Denver physician Dr. Charles Spivak, who served as executive secretary of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) from 1904 until his death in 1929. Dr. Spivak, a Jewish immigrant who had fled Russia in 1881 because of his revolutionary socialist activities, received his medical degree from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1890. He and his family moved to Denver in 1896. Know as the ''guiding genius'' of the JCRS, he was referred to affectionately as ''Papa...
Dates: 1926 September 10

Portrait of Dr. Charles Spivak, 1926 September 10

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0003.00006
Abstract

Formal head and shoulders portrait of Denver physician Dr. Charles Spivak, who served as executive secretary of the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society from 1904 until his death in 1927.

Dates: 1926 September 10

Staff Banquet, 1927

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0036.00055
Abstract

Several men in tuxedos sit around a u-shaped table at a JCRS staff banquet in honor of Dr. Isidore Bronfin. 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: 1927