Noshing With Jane Loeb Rubin – June 12, 2025

Author, Over There

This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira welcomes Jane Loeb Rubin, acclaimed author of Over There, the powerful third book to her best-selling Gilded City series. Set during World War I, the novel sheds light on a rarely explored corner of Jewish-American history, following a family of Jewish doctors and nurses who bring compassion, courage, and medical innovation to the front lines—all while wrestling with questions of identity, displacement, and rising antisemitism in a still-new homeland.

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In this compelling conversation, Jane shares how her diagnosis of ovarian cancer—and the revelation of a genetic defect—propelled her to begin writing later in life. She reflects on her decision to honor her great-grandmother, a German-Jewish immigrant, and how her structured, Type A personality shaped her disciplined approach to writing. Despite limited energy, she writes each morning with laser focus, showcasing with her ability to transition from a structured professional life to a creative one.

Jane also dives into the historical heart of her work, discussing her meticulous New York research and the often-overlooked fact that a high percentage of Jewish Americans—and many from other ethnic backgrounds—served valiantly in World War I. Her stories bridge history and humanity, revealing not only the heroism of those who served but also the resilience of identity in a time of profound upheaval.

A cancer diagnosis that uncovered a genetic defect, combined with a lifelong interest in medical history and a successful career as a healthcare executive, inspired Jane to begin her writing journey. Her first book, Almost a Princess: My Life as a Two-Time Cancer Survivor (2009), was a Next Generation Award Finalist and garnered attention through various magazine features. During this time, she actively raised funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and began exploring her family history, discovering the story of her great-grandmother, Mathilda (“Tillie”), who arrived in New York City in 1866 as a baby.

At just 16, Tillie married a man 12 years her senior and later died of what was described as “a woman’s disease.” The details of her life remained elusive, prompting Rubin to imagine a vivid and dramatic life for her ancestor. Her investigation into New York’s medical and legal history, including conservative reproductive laws and the role of midwives, inspired a compelling, fast-paced trilogy of historical novels. These books delve into the dangers of pregnancy, shifting roles in women’s healthcare, and settings such as the notorious Blackwell’s Workhouse, all while highlighting the challenges faced by women in a restrictive era.

Jane’s historical fiction series includes In the Hands of Women (2023) and its prequel Threadbare (2024). She also writes a monthly blog, Musings, about her post-healthcare and writing life. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BS, MS) and Washington University (MBA), and spent the early part of her career as a speech therapist before retiring from a 30-year healthcare executive role. She lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband, David, and together they have five children and seven grandchildren. A portion of her book sales benefits The Matilda Fund. 

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