Mason Rosenbloom

Mason Rosenbloom is a 16-year-old Aspie from Thornhill, Ontario. He was born into an upper-class secular Jewish home and is looking for a new beginning.

As a low-support Autistic person, Mason mainstreamed into the public school system but struggled with the harshness of this unforgiving hellscape. Searching for a smaller, quieter, friendly environment, Mason gets invited to board with his uncle to attend the Yeshiva of Silver Spring. The Yeshiva is small, but Mason, who was not religious, finds himself lost in the orthodox world, navigating a new, different kind of neurotypical culture. Going to a religious school is one thing, but Mason is unsure of his own belief and ability to trust and warm up to others.

Josh Shapiro

Josh is what we call a Baltimoron. He is from Baltimore (I love Baltimore) and was sent to Silver Spring to attend school. Josh and a few other Baltimorons make this trip as the schools in their area have rejected them. Josh can be friendly one minute and bully the next. He does have dimensions, though, and he becomes understandable.

Noam Brightstein

Noam is a proud Black Sephardic Jew. This is who he is; he feels alien in a mostly white-passing Ashkenazi Yeshiva. He’s from Texas and is as red as you can get in politics.

Yoni Katz

Yoni is from Manchester, England. His family moved here with him after his dad became a diplomat. Yoni is a very insightful lad but often says strange things.

Yossi (Joe) Rosenbloom

Yossi Rosenbloom is a black hat modern Yeshivish Jew. He owns the local pizzeria and is Mason’s uncle. Also known as Joe, Yossi lost his wife to a drowning incident during a family vacation three years ago. It’s been hard for Joe, but recently he’s found Tziporah, who’s been helping with the family and has gotten close.

Motti Rosenbloom

Motti is Mason’s cousin and trying to find his place. Wanting to fit in, he joins a questionable group. He gets kicked out of the Yeshiva but is a sweet guy deep down.

Malkie Rosenbloom

Motti’s sister and the cousin to Mason. She recently returned from seminary in Israel and is now attending Montgomery Community College.

Tzipporah Cruz

Tzipporah is from the Dominican Republic and is a Jewish convert. She is a widow and hangs around with Yossi and his family. She works as the manager at the local ice rink and is trying to get a government job at the FCC.