Abe Weissman

Living… in the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his bubbly wife, Rose Weissman.

Profession… math professor at Columbia. Abe brings rules and mathematics into every aspect of life, though he has difficulty getting the rest of his family to follow. From point-by-point itineraries on outings that invariably get thrown out, or calculating the exact angle at which he needs to hit a pool ball, Abe thrives on order.

Relationship Status… happily married to Rose. The couple has two children, Midge and Noah.

Challenge… adjusting to Midge’s new life without Joel. Abe was living a quiet life of ease before the whole “Joel Fiasco.” But when Midge and Joel decide to separate, Abe has to convince Midge to rectify her terrible mistake. The life and reputation of a single mother in the 50s is not an easy one, and Midge has to get back together with Joel no matter what. The Weissmans’ lives are turned upside down when their only daughter Midge separates from her husband. Abe goes into a frenzy trying to put things back together, terrified that Midge will be helpless without the security of a husband, even one like Joel. But Midge shares her father’s steely will and wants to live on without Joel. Maybe Abe will have to yield to his daughter’s will instead. After all, the real world isn’t like his rigid math classes.

Personality… orderly, particular, and caring. Abe likes things to be in a certain way, and above all, he likes to be in control. He is a realist, and he tries his best to provide good advice to his children. Abe’s approach to life can be summed up with his advice to Midge: "Life isn't fair. It's hard and cruel. You have to pick your friends as if there's a war going on. You want a husband who will take a bullet for you, not one who points to the attic and says, 'they're up there.'" While Midge is trying to find someone who fits that criteria, there is no question that Abe would take a bullet for his wife Rose.