The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1920-03-24
Dr.. Spivak Begins his
Mission in Poland
TELLS OF INTERESTING EXPEK-
FENCES TRAVELLING TO LAND
OF MISERY.

Spivak will undoubtedly be interested
TO learn of the progress of his mis-
sion as Commissioner of Health and
Sanitation In the devastated regions OF
Europe, where he was sent by the
Joint Distribution committee OF the
Jewish War Sufferers Fund. From
letters written to his family and his
co-workers in the ]. c. Il. s., we are nd.
,ised that he has finally reached War
saw, the capital of Poland. where he
has made his headquarters. He has
already started on statistical inves-
tigation of the facilities for coping
with the epidemics rigging in Eastern
Europe. particularly thyphus. The
technical matters relating to sanita-
tion and social work among our nm
fortunate brethren are still under IN
vestigation. The conditions. according
10 DR.. Spivak, beggar description, and
the Jews in America cannot do enougl,
to alleviate the misery and suffering
which is the lot of our Polish core
ligionists.
DIR. Spivak. was the recipient oi
iuany honOrs and cOurtesies at the
hands OF his numerous admirers, both
Lere and abroad. The Yiddish literati
entertained him. and the Yiddish news
paper reporters besieged him with in
tervicws. The intricacies and red tape
involved In getting passport abroad.
necessitated special trip to Washing
ton. Every member of the unit with
which DIR. Spivak is associated was
fitted with uniform and had TO get
an equipment to weather the cola
winter in Europe. Lectures were given
on the Polish language and history,
ethnology of the slavic races. and
other subjects of importance to the so
cial workers comprising the unit,
Needless to say, they were set OF
picked men. each one experienced IN
special field and fitted by training
and experience to accomplish the tnsk
assigned to him. These studies were
continued on the boat and plans were
laid for the method Of attacking the
different problems before them. Dr.
spivak's special aptitude is shown In
the confidence he enjoys Of all classes
Of Jewry, regardless of shade of re-
ligious or economic leaning. His
knowledge Of the Slavic languages and
his keen insight in the psychology Of
the Jew will he of great service to
him In his work.
The first destination was Paris,
where he met a number OF Jewish not
ubles gathered there from all parts
tf the world. DIR. Spivak's letters
give brief sketches of the famous jew
ish men OF work or Of letters whom
he has met on his travels.
After long and tiresome journey.
rendered difficult by the disorganized
conditions Of transportation, he finally
reached Warsaw. The living conditions
ut the hotels there are rather startling
to us, who are accustomed to luxury
and plenty. No heat: no bathing IA
cilites and the absence Of many other
essentials If this is the state OF affairs
in the hotels, one can imagine condt'
tions in private dwellings.
Here, too, Dr. Spivak has already
seen the leading Jews Of the city, who
are ready to cooperate with him. He Is
getting in touch principally with the
doctors. In this connection it may be
of interest to relate an incident illu-
>trating the old adage. THE world
is small after ALL Some years ago
nr. Spivak reported, before a medical
society, rare case of a disease OF
the ocsophngus, which attracted con-
siderable attention. The patient, II
nutive of Warsaw, had suffered from
the ailment for twenty years and more,
immigrated to America, and finally
found his why into the J. G. H. s.,
sanntoriun. 1t happened that the very
same case was described in German
medical journal some twenty years
previously by doctor from Warsaw.
but without giving the exact dag
nosis Dr. Spivak had sent the first
physician copy of his paper on the
case. with the final findings. Fate
ordained that the work of reconstruc-
,ion in Poland should bring the two
doctors together in Warsaw, wher'
they could discuss their mutual
patients case in person to their hearts
content
The last writing that has reached
Denver from DIR. Spivnk IL postmurked
wilma. He is in the ancient Luthua
man capital, the center of Rabbinic
culture. the home Of the famous Ro-
min, Hahrr.x nnhlishinc hnlIse Here