fbpx

J.J. Abrams talks about ‘Star Trek,’ being Jewish and interfaith marriage

[additional-authors]
May 7, 2009

I can honestly say I’ve never watched an episode of “Star Trek,” and yet I am amped for the release Friday of the latest silver screen reprisal of the classic sci-fi series. Watch the above preview and you’ll understand why anyone who likes a good story should go Trekkie.

The film is directed by J.J. Abrams of “Felicity,” “Alias” and “Lost” fame, and last week he spoke with Danielle Berrin. Here’s an excerpt:

JJ: You sound pretty levelheaded. What keeps you grounded?

JJA: Whenever I need a reminder that I’m just a lucky schmuck who gets to make movies, my wife is there to nudge me or slap the back of my head.

JJ: I don’t want to make any assumptions — because being Jewish in Hollywood means lots of different things — so I’ll just ask why people think you’re Jewish.

JJA: My name is Jeffrey Jacob Abrams — it’s a tough one to get around. My family wasn’t very religious, but I’m very proud of my heritage. My wife is Irish Catholic and it’s a fascinating thing having married someone who’s of a different religion, because you get to understand and see and respect another way of growing up and believing. That to me is interesting and healthy. I do consider myself Jewish, and I take my kids to services on holidays because that is something really important to me.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Boring, Very Boring

AI is accelerating our decline into a monoculture, where everything sounds the same, a culture that is dull and unoriginal.

When Everything Becomes a Product—Including Girlhood

In her debut book, “Girls®: Generation Z and the Commodification of Everything” Freya India presents a stinging indictment against those she blames for having turned normal girls into GIRLS®, an ideal target market for the social media, pharmaceutical, beauty and online therapy industries.

Gabba Gabba Oy!

For Cate Thurston, the chief curator at the Skirball, the exhibit gives the museum a chance to “explore this sort of underserved story” about the Jewish relationship and participation and crafting the look of punk

Recognizing Jewish Heritage Month

On this beautiful Sacramento morning, in the face, perhaps in defiance of, so much in the world that is painful, tenuous and deeply troubling, we convened and we lifted up what connects us – the promise of growth and healing, and the potent ability for people to endure, to create change, and to scaffold our communities in justice and truth.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.