From 1966 to 1969, Leonard Nimoy played Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series. Those three years as a half-human, half-Vulcan science fiction character would change his life, making him the public face of one of the most popular franchises in television history.

 

But there is an intensely private, spiritual side of Leonard Nimoy that isn’t as well known. The son of a barber, Nimoy grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Boston, where he became captivated by the mystery and poetry of Jewish rituals. His interest in Judaism has stayed with him, informing his work as a poet, photographer, and even his portrayal of Mr. Spock.

 

He spoke to Nadine Epstein, editor of Moment Magazine, the national independent Jewish publication co-founded by Elie Wiesel. This is part of our collaboration with Moment that explores great Jewish artists and thinkers.
 

Leonard Nimoy, photographer, film director, poet and actor

There will be a moment - perhaps as soon as twenty years from now – when humans make contact with intelligent alien life. And when we do, a host of theologians, scientists and religious leaders will be prepared with questions. Will knowing we're not alone in the universe change the way we understand humanity? Will it change the way we understand God?

 

Douglas Vakoch, director of Interstellar Message Composition at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute

 

Ted Peters, professor of theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Brian Greene is a cosmologist who studies string theory – a ‘theory of everything’ that attempts to explain all the forces of matter within the cosmos. For him, studying the laws of time and space can lead to a deeper knowledge. “The better we understand the universe's rules,” he says, “the more deeply we can appreciate our lives within it.”

 

Produced by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, with John Gregory and Viki Merrick. Available in "This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women"

 

Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and author of "The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and The Deep Laws of the Cosmos"