Ordinary Jews. Talking. Episode 3: Joy Gaine

Episode 3: Joy Gaine – Recorded July 29, 2025  Photo: Courtesy Joy Gaine

Joy defines herself as a teacher, musician, and mother. Her sense of herself as a Jew rose post October 7th with questions on whether being Jewish makes her think differently about the conflict than her progressive friends? And why should that be true? Isn’t it enough to be pro-peace with good will for all who believe in human rights for all? She challenged me greatly on where to see a good outcome, all the while probing where and why “the Jews” are so often at fault. It was a great conversation, do tune in!

Episode 3 Notes: 

• Out of Eqypt, 1994, is a memoir and the first book published by André Aciman, better known for his fiction. “Out of Egypt is a love letter to the Jewish diaspora in its portrayal of a Jewish society that has now practically disappeared.”  Here’s a fabulous short interview with Aciman where he talks about his enduring love for Alexandria and for Egyptians, “...the nicest human beings I have ever met in my life and will ever meet.”  (Oh, and the correct title of the novel he is best known for is Call Me By Your Name.)
• It’s Time, “… a coalition of over 60 peacebuilding and shared society organizations, working together with determination and courage to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a political agreement that will ensure both peoples' right to self-determination and secure lives.”

Status of IDF soldiers: Can’t find a link to the interview mentioned in the podcast. This article, also from July 29, anticipates the current (September) wave of refusals to serve and points out the poor fit of the iDF for protracted combat.