Dr. Jeff Monkash, beloved physician, teacher, mentor, art connoisseur, husband, father, and brother, passed away on May 5, 2026, at the age of 76.

Born in the Bronx, New York, to Holocaust survivors Mary and Martin Monkash, Dr. Monkash was raised in a home deeply rooted in Judaism, resilience, compassion, and a profound love for Israel. These values would guide him throughout his life and career.

A gifted student from an early age, he attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, where he graduated at 16. He earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo and his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Montefiore Hospital and fellowship in gastroenterology at Albany Medical Center.

Dr. Monkash devoted nearly four decades to practicing gastroenterology and primary care in Hudson, New York, at Columbia Memorial Hospital, where he also served for several years as Chief of Medicine. His mission was steadfast: to bring university-quality medicine to a community hospital setting while ensuring every patient received compassionate, dignified care. He established the transfusion-free medicine program at Columbia Memorial Hospital and was deeply committed to the long-term health of the Hudson community.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Monkash was an active and passionate advocate for environmental and public health causes. As a dedicated member of Friends of Hudson, he played an instrumental role in opposing and ultimately defeating the proposed St. Lawrence Cement project, helping preserve the health and future of the region he loved.

His spirit was nourished by a lifelong passion for music—especially jazz—of which he possessed an extraordinary encyclopedic knowledge. He formed friendships with many celebrated artists, including pianist and composer Andrew Hill, who dedicated a composition titled “Monkash” in his honor.

Over the course of several years, Dr. Monkash balanced practicing medicine with hosting and producing local radio shows where he featured his personal collection of jazz recordings, anecdotes, and knowledge.

He was incredibly inspired by the photographers Francis Wolff, Herman Leonard, and Chuck Stewart, which led him to  proudly display his personal collection of mid twentieth century black and white photographs at the Claverack Library. This exhibit was undoubtedly one of the most gratifying projects of his life.

He served as board member of Hudson Valley Friends of Jazz and Hudson Jazz Works, for which he was proudly able to engage the titan saxophonist Sonny Rollins, and pianist Francesca Tanksley to perform.

He was equally inspired by art history and artistic movements spanning from the Renaissance to Abstract Expressionism.

Dr. Monkash lived with unwavering integrity, Bronx toughness and authenticity, intellectual curiosity, and boundless generosity. He leaves behind a legacy of healing, mentorship, cultural passion, great love and adoration for Judaism and Israel and deep humanity that will continue through all who knew and cherished him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Angela Monkash; his daughters, Dr. Nina Monkash and Gabrielle Monkash; and his sister, Roberta Monkash.

Those wishing to remember Dr. Monkash in a special way can plant a tree in his memory JNF Tree Planting  or donate to a charity of your choice.

At the request of the family, funeral services were held privately.