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

Expanding the Soul

There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.

Making Torah More Accessible

The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.

Avi Nesher Fights the Boycott with a Human Story

Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.

Knowing Our History

In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.

My Choice for Essay of the Year

The collective assault against Israel has been so broad and deep it’s been hard finding anyone in the mainstream media who will dare go after the Hamas murderers whose biggest victims are the Palestinians.

Yom Kippuring

We are all trying, in our own imperfect ways, to find an entrance into a better self.

Embracing Paradox

Grappling with the seemingly inexplicable is something to keep in mind as we resolve to improve ourselves in the days ahead.

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