Hoodie is a teenage Orthodox Jewish boy living in the town of Tregaron. As the only boy in his large family, he faces heavy expectations to excel in his Torah studies, though he struggles with Talmud interpretation and basic math. He is naturally curious and begins to question the strict boundaries of his community when he forms an unexpected connection with a non-Jewish girl.

Anna-Marie is a non-Jewish teenager living in Tregaron and the daughter of the local mayor. She is confident and poised, but deals with a strained relationship with her politically focused mother. Processing her own feelings of loneliness following the loss of her father, she reaches out to Hoodie, sparking a cross-cultural friendship that challenges both of their worlds.

Zippy is Hoodie's older sister, a highly intelligent teenager who acts as the organizational center of the Rosen household. Because her mother works multiple jobs, Zippy manages school emails, handles household chores, and cares for her younger siblings. She reads rabbinical commentaries extensively and uses them to expertly manage family conflicts.

Monica is the mayor of Tregaron and a widow grieving the recent death of her husband. She channels her sorrow into fiercely protecting her town's traditional aesthetic, leading a public campaign to block the influx of Orthodox Jewish families. She uses her political power to rezone properties and organize opposition, directly impacting the Rosen family.

Avraham is Hoodie's father and a real estate developer attempting to build apartment housing for the growing Orthodox community in Tregaron. He faces intense local hostility from the town council and residents who want to block the new arrivals. In response to these external pressures, he demands strict adherence to Jewish law and complete obedience from his family to maintain their community's reputation.

Moshe is Hoodie's best friend and a fellow student at the yeshiva. He is highly skilled at debating Jewish law and genuinely views the strict rules of Orthodox Judaism as a privilege rather than a restriction. He provides a grounding presence in Hoodie's life while rigidly maintaining the community's boundaries regarding outsiders.

Chaim is one of Hoodie's close friends at the yeshiva. He attends classes with his arms in casts and participates in the playful debates among the boys. He shares his peers' insular lifestyle and faces the rising tensions in Tregaron alongside them.

Rabbi Moritz is a teacher at the Moskovitz Torah Academy who oversees Hoodie's religious education. He is dedicated to his students' spiritual growth but holds a pessimistic view of the secular world, believing that non-Jewish neighbors will never truly accept the Orthodox community.

Rabbi Freidman is a leader at the yeshiva who helps enforce community standards. He takes a strict approach to religious violations and helps determine the appropriate spiritual consequences when students stray from Orthodox teachings.

Rabbi Taub is the highly respected chief rabbi for the Orthodox Jewish community in the Northeast. Speaking a mixture of Yiddish, Hebrew, and heavily accented English, he represents the highest spiritual authority in Hoodie's world and offers guidance during crises.

Yoel is Zippy's fiancé, fully integrated into the Orthodox community's traditions. He views meetings with high-ranking religious leaders as an honor and supports the Rosen family as they navigate challenges.

Mrs. Rosen is Hoodie's mother, who works three jobs to support her large family in Tregaron. Because of her demanding work schedule, she spends much of her time in her study, leaving the daily household management and childcare to her eldest daughter.

Goldie is one of Hoodie's younger sisters. She is part of the bustling household that Zippy helps manage, reflecting the large, close-knit nature of the Orthodox families in their community.

Rivkie is another of Hoodie's younger sisters. Her reactions to family tensions highlight how deeply community rules permeate the Rosen household, even affecting the youngest members.

Case is a non-Jewish teenager in Tregaron and part of Anna-Marie's social circle. He participates in the local youth culture that often mocks or misunderstands the traditions of the new Orthodox residents.

Borneo is Anna-Marie's small pet dog. He is named after the island in Southeast Asia, a fact that highlights the differing educational backgrounds between the secular community and the yeshiva students, who have never heard of the place.