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

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.