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 4252 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0002.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on January 28, 1906, and its operations and finances for the period of incorporation ending December 31, 1905; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicated that 76 patients were admitted in 1905, bringing the total to 97. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including initials, age, occupation, and duration of...
Dates:
1906
Item
Identifier: B002.01.0097.0091.00003
Abstract
Second page of a typed letter from JCRS, no date. The letter notes that applications are not accepted from outside Denver, but that if the patient could benefit to send him along with money sufficient for his maintenance until he can be admitted. The letter is unsigned, but "Secretary" is typed at the bottom.
Dates:
1905 - 1906
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0007.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on April 16, 1911, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1910, and ending December 31, 1910; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak was the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that 232 patients were treated in 1910. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including age, occupation, and duration of disease), and a list of all...
Dates:
1911
Item
Identifier: B002.05.01.0199.0006.00001
Abstract
Report of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) annual meeting on March 27, 1910, and its operations and finances for the period beginning January 1, 1909, and ending December 31, 1909; Dr. Philip Hillkowitz was the Society's President, and C.D. Spivak the Secretary. The Secretary's report indicates that 298 patients were treated in 1909. Includes images of the facility, statistical data about the patients (including age, occupation, and duration of disease), and a list of all...
Dates:
1910
Item
Identifier: B002.04.0215.0140.00001
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
This series contains a photo album, photographs, bulletin pages, drawings, lithographs, and contact sheets of the campus and buildings, patients and family, staff and volunteers, auxiliaries and conventions, and activities connected with the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society and the AMC Cancer Research Center.
Dates:
1920
File
Identifier: B250.02.0001.0012
Abstract
The folder contains a copy of Confidential Report from Dr. Spivak. The report was created by Dr. C.D. Spivak who was a commissioner on the Commission Health and Sanitation of the Joint Distribution Committee. He investigated the health and sanitation of the Jews in Warsaw, Wilno, Minsk, Bobrujsk and other parts of Poland and occupied Ukraine.
Dates:
1920 April 13
Collection
Identifier: B250
Abstract
Dr. Charles Spivak was born in Russia in 1861 and died in Denver, Colorado in 1927. He arrived in New York City in 1882 and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1893, Charles Spivak married Jennie Charsky. Because of Jennie's poor health the Spivaks moved to Denver in 1896. Dr. Spivak was a co-founder of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (JCRS) and was the executive secretary from 1904 until 1927. Haim David Spivak, son of Dr. Charles and Jennie...
Dates:
1861-2010
Collection
Identifier: B375
Abstract
Dr. Charles Spivak was born in Russia in 1861 and died in Denver, Colorado in 1927. He arrived in New York City in 1882 and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1893, Charles Spivak married Jennie Charsky and they had three children: David, Deena, and Ruth. Jennie Charsky was born in Russia in 1871 and briefly studied law at Cornell before graduating from the University of Denver. Because of Jennie's poor health the Spivaks moved to Denver in 1886. Dr....
Dates:
1919-1920
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
Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00009
Abstract
Left to right: Dr. Isidor Bronfin, JCRS medical superintendent and tuberculosis specialist; Denver Judge Ben Lindsey of the juvenile court; Dr. Leo Tepley, JCRS physician; Clarence Darrow, Scopes trial lawyer; and Dr. Charles Spivak, physician and founder of the 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...
Dates:
circa 1926
