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 30 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0019.00005
Abstract
Dr. Charles D. Spivak with a large crowd of people at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Spivak is in the center of the photograph and Dr. Philip Hillkowitz is to his right, while Rabbi William Friedman is standing to the right in the rear. 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:
between 1904-1927
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: B063.03.0011.00031
Abstract
The Esther Lourwitz Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Charles David Spivak, a founder of JCRS is holding the bed dedication plaque which says ''Endowed In Memory of Our Beloved Mother and Sister Esther L. Lourwitz, [illegible] New York [illegible], 1923.'' 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: B063.03.0011.00034
Abstract
The Frankel Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Bed plaque says, ''IN MEMORY OF LOUIS NAHAM, ESTHER, MINNIE FRANKEL, NEW YORK N.Y., 1924.'' Dr. Isidor Bronfin stands second from left and Dr. Charles David Spivak is seen on the right hand side of the photograph, leaning against the bed. 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 1926
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00037
Abstract
The Garfinkel and Ritter of New York, New York Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Isidor Bronfin stands far right and Dr. Charles Spivak stands fifth from the right. Bed plaque says, ''ENDOWED BY GARFINKEL AND RITTER, NEW YORK, N.Y., 1925.'' 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: B063.03.0011.00035
Abstract
The Hebrew Sisters Aid Society of Washington D.C. Bed Dedication Ceremony at the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS). Dr. Charles Spivak can be seen to the right in the back of the crowd. Bed plaque says, ''ENDOWED BY, THE HEBREW SISTERS AID SOCIETY, WASHINGTON, D. C., 1924The 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
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: B063.03.0011.00027
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
