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 48 Collections and/or Records:
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
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: B063.03.0035.00019
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
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0009.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on April 27, 1913, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1912, and ending December 31, 1912; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that 218 patients were treated in 1912. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including age, occupation, and duration of disease), and a list of all...
Dates:
1913
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
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
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
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0014.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on May 17-19, 1919, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1918, and ending December 31, 1918; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. Includes text of meeting sessions, statistical data about the patients from 1904-1918, committee reports, and a sample weekly menu for patients. Published as Volume 13, Number 2 (April-May-June 1919) of The...
Dates:
1919
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0016.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on June 4-6, 1921, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1920, and ending December 31, 1920; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. Includes text of officers' addresses and reports, statistical data about the patients in 1920, and a questionnaire for all Jewish federated charities in the United States. Published as volume 15, number 2 (April,...
Dates:
1921
