Jackie, Moriah, Rebbetzin Smadar, Avigayil, and Rav Michael Rosensweig (from L - R)

Many institutions pride themselves on being not just a school but a family, a colloquial reference to the camaraderie and mutual support of their students and staff. But the Bernard Revel Graduate School can profile an actual family of students studying together. Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, renowned Talmudic scholar and Rosh Kollel of the Beren Kollel Elyon at Yeshiva University, holds the Nathan and Perel Schupf Chair in Talmud at RIETS. Rav Rosensweig, as he is respectfully called, also completed an MA and PhD in Medieval Jewish History at Revel. His doctoral thesis, “Debt collection in absentia : Halakhah in a mobile and commercial age,” was completed under the direction of Dr. Haym Soloveitchik. Now, many of Rav Rosensweig’s children are pursuing degrees at Revel. Moriah Rosensweig Weiss, 31, completed her MA and is pursuing a PhD in Medieval Jewish History focused on the intellectual history of the Rishonim and the interface between Ashkenaz and Sefarad. She currently teaches as an adjunct Bible instructor at Stern College for Women, where her mother, Mrs. Smadar Rosensweig, serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Bible. For Moriah, Revel was the best place to develop her interest in Jewish intellectual history and “to study the time period of the Rishonim..[and]..analyze their works of biblical and Talmudic exegesis.” Moriah is inspired by her parents’ dedication to teaching Torah and enjoys “discuss[ing] the ideas and sources” from Revel classes with her siblings. Itamar Rosensweig, 30, also completed his MA in Medieval Jewish History at Revel and is now pursuing his PhD at the graduate school. He serves as scholar in residence at Englewood’s Congregation Ahavath Torah and gives a weekly shiur at RIETS. Avigdor (28) and Avigail (23) Rosensweig each completed their MA in Medieval Jewish Studies this year, and Avigail will be continuing in the Revel PhD program this fall. Jackie Fast, 33, married to Ariel Rosensweig, is completing her PhD in Modern Jewish History at Revel. Jackie is writing about the social history of the Bais Yaakov movement in the inter-war period. Reflecting on her time at Revel, Jackie highlights “the caliber of its professors as scholars, teachers, and mentors, the religious environment, the impressive cadre of peers.” She also feels that  “being in a family with many current students… is wonderfully supportive.” The broader Revel family is proud to have so many members of the Rosensweig family in its midst.