Much enthusiasm, muted criticism in Jewish reactions to Obama’s gay marriage support

[Behind the Aegis]

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- As soon as President Obama wrapped up the television interview in which he endorsed same-sex marriage, he called an evangelical minister who advises him to offer a heads up. Jack Lew, the White House chief of staff, made a similar call to the Orthodox Union.

The calls, made Wednesday before excerpts from the interview hit the Internet, demonstrated the White House's determination to preempt any backlash that the endorsement might engender from religious groups. Obama administration officials have been careful to emphasize that the president also backs protections for religious groups that oppose same-sex marriage.

“He called to inform us about what the president was going to announce and put it in context,” Nathan Diament, the OU’s executive director of public policy, said of the call from Lew, himself an Orthodox Jew.

The move appeared to have yielded some dividends.

The OU said in a statement that it was “disappointed" by the president’s new stance and reiterated Orthodox Jewish opposition to "any effort to change the definition of marriage to include same-sex unions." But the group also said that it “appreciated” Obama's praise of New York State's same-sex marriage law, which offers some protections for religious institutions that oppose same-sex marriage.

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[William769]

1. Forgive me but I have to claim ignorance when it comes to

The religion spoken of in the article and Israel.

I know it's up to me to educate myself on this, but I haven't as of yet.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. What do you want to know?

[William769]

3. I just don't understand the State of Israel being so friendly to the LGBT community and Orthodox Jews

not so friendly. I hope that I am assuming that the jewish faith as say like Protestant's (different denominations but the same faith (I hope this makes sense)) is correct in my thinking. If it is not please correct my thinking.

All my GLBT brother & sisters that have been Jewish (that I have known over the years), we just never talked about our faiths with each other.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Not to get too far off topic, but...

The article is really more about Jews in the US. Israel doesn't really figure into the equation in this instance. There are different branches of Judaism, though unlike Christianity, they didn't evolve into completely unique forms. There are some differences in worship, but most follow the same rules to some extent. The Orthodox also has minor off-shoots, but overall, they aren't pro "gay" marriage. Most of the other branches of Judaism are pro-gay and even have gay rabbis and congregations. As it says in the article, most Jews are pro marriage equality, much more so than other denominations. Did that clear anything up or make it worse?

[William769]

5. Some.

Maybe I'm just having a off day. I really do appreciate your help on this though.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Not a prob!

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask here or via PM.

Hope the day gets better.

I am avoiding cleaning before the housekeeper comes tomorrow (my 43rd birthday!!!).

[William769]

7. In case our paths don't meet tomorrow.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. THANKS!

[stevenleser]

10. Happy Birthday, BTA!

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Thanks!!! And great job "down below"...I was too lazy. LOL!

Edit...wrong direction!

[stevenleser]

11. Am also happy to discuss this with you William.

There are four major branches of Judaism:

Orthodox - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_judaism
Conservative - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Judaism
Reformed - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Judaism
Reconstructionist - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructionist_Judaism

I've presented them here in the order of what I think is more traditional at the top and more liberal toward the bottom. Each of these major branches themselves have different subgroups. Within Orthodox Jewry, there is Modern Orthodox, which is the most liberal of the Orthodox, Joe Lieberman is Modern Orthodox, and at the other end are the Haredim. The Haredim are the most traditional and their name literally means "Those who tremble before G-d". Most Hasidic Jews consider themselves Haredim.

Two of the above four groups have come out in support of Gay marriage/marriage equality, Reformed and Reconstructionist. Even many of the Conservative branches approve of gay and Lesbian rabbis and of commitment ceremonies for same sex couples.

When you see public opposition to same sex marriage coming from Jews, it will always be from the Orthodox branch but in reality, even this doesnt happen often because many sects of Orthodox Judaism believe in a complete disengagement from the rest of society. Ironically, it is the more liberal groups within Orthodox Judaism, i.e. the Modern Orthodox, that you most frequently hear complaining about same sex marriage. They are liberal enough to believe in engagement with society, but still Orthodox in their belief system.

[Call Me Wesley]

9. Hey, it's past midnight here, soooooo

Happy Birthday, young one! I hope you have a wonderful day and countless more to come!

[Behind the Aegis]

13. I appreciate it!

I have no idea what I am going to do...half the day is gone and my partner still isn't home, though he was supposed to take a half-day (:mad .