President Obama. Photo: wiki commons.

President Barack Obama release of a public statement in support of the legalization of gay marriage in the U.S has prompted responses from a variety of American Jewish groups. Obama said, “At a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

The Orthodox Union (OU) said it is “disappointed by (the) statement by President Obama endorsing legal recognition of same sex marriage. Jewish law is unequivocal in opposing same sex relationships.” However, the OU thanked Obama for “acknowledging that that in states where same sex relationships are legally recognized, such laws must carefully address and protect the religious liberties of dissenting individuals and institutions.”

National Jewish Democratic Council (JNDC) chair Marc R. Stanley said, “I am pleased that the President has made a decisive statement in support of marriage equality…President Obama has admirably continued to demonstrate the values of tikkun olam in his work to make America a better place for all Americans.”