History
2003
Founding
Recognizing the rapid population growth of the Satmar community, and the need to prepare young women for their adult role, a group of rabbinic leaders, educators, and community activists joined Derech Hachaim Seminary was established to answer the needs of the Satmar population located in Kiryas Joel. Recognizing the rapid population growth of the Satmar community, a group of rabbinic leaders, educators, and community activists joined to create a post-secondary institution for women. In 2003, the founding committee collaborated with the existing Satmar educational network (UTA) to establish DHS, with the purpose of providing higher education opportunities and perpetuating the Satmar philosophy.
our mission
Derech Hachaim Seminary (DHS) is the Satmar chassidic community’s leading institution of Jewish higher education for women, dedicated to strengthening students’ commitment to practicing and perpetuating the Torah’s teachings and the Satmar chassidic legacy. The seminary’s curriculum – which includes comprehensive studies of the Jewish Bible and Jewish law and philosophy, with a focus on Satmar ideology – provides women with a derech l’chaim, a clear path for leading lives as formal or informal educators in the Satmar community.
our campus
The DHS campus is conveniently located at the center of the Kiryas Joel community, in close proximity and central to the location of the target population.
extra curricular
Aside from its intensive academic program, Derech Hachaim Seminary provides students with a full range of extracurricular events and programs.
Contact us
- 5 Israel Zupnik Drive, Monroe, NY 10950
- (845)783-5800
- (845)492-5949
Classical Torah Studies Certificate
Upon the completion of 24 credits
Classical Torah Studies Degree
Upon the completion of 60 credits
Year 1
Fall: August 27, 2026 – January 22, 2027
Spring: January 24, 2027 – June 28, 2027
Fall Breaks: September 11, 2026 – September 14, 2026, September 19, 2026 – September 21, 2026, September 25, 2026 – October 05, 2026
Spring Breaks: March 20, 2027 – March 24, 2027, April 08, 2027 – May 03, 2027, June 10, 2027 – June 13, 2027
Year 2
Fall: August 27, 2026 – January 22, 2027
Spring: January 24, 2027 – June 28, 2027
Fall Breaks: September 11, 2026 – September 14, 2026, September 19, 2026 – September 21, 2026, September 25, 2026 – October 05, 2026, December 04, 2026 – December 06, 2026, December 08, 2026 – December 08, 2026
Spring Breaks: March 20, 2027 – March 24, 2027, April 08, 2027 – May 02, 2027