The Purim seudah is a time to get together with family and friends. Many shuls host a seudah, and traditionally, alcoholic beverages are served. At this meal particularly, alcohol consumption can be on the heavier side, to the point of getting out of hand with negative consequences. If your shul is planning on hosting a seudah or Purim party, it’s important to develop an alcohol management plan to keep everyone comfortable and safe. Here are some ideas to consider when planning this year’s festivities.
Wine-not?
Consider a dry seudah: I know this is not a popular idea, especially on Purim. However, it is the safest and most family friendly option. Keep in mind that in many states, a shul can be held liable if someone leaves a shul event inebriated and causes harm or damage because of his or her altered state. Going dry should be considered especially if your shul had past issues with inappropriate member behavior due to alcohol consumption.
Don’t Pour ’Em for Purim
Keep alcohol out of the hands of members who are under the drinking age. Allowing underage drinking at a shul event is illegal and could lead to both civil and criminal consequences. Know the law in your state ahead of time.
Limit alcohol access by setting up a bar or table controlled by adults. Don’t have bottles of wine or beer on the tables where underage members could have easy access to those beverages. Members of legal drinking age can be given a drink wristband to show at the bar/drink table or given a drink ticket that gets turned in when taking an alcoholic beverage.
Drink Happy, Not Heavy
Control alcohol consumption for the legal-age crowd as well. In addition to limiting alcohol access as mentioned above, consider only allowing wine and beer and not “hard alcohol” such as liquor. Offer single-size servings of alcohol. Allow members to take a glass of wine rather than a wine bottle to their table. Have only single cups of beer or single-serve beer bottles available rather than a beer keg.
Purim Fun, Not Overdone
Limit the number of drinks a person can have over a designated time. This can be achieved with the drink tickets mentioned above. Each ticket can have a time pre-printed on it and can only be used during that window (i.e. the 1 PM ticket can only be used between 1:00 and 1:30 PM. Each member would get one ticket for that time period). Limit the total number of tickets each member will get for the event. End alcohol service at least an hour before the end of the seudah to allow people to sober up before leaving.
Sip, Don’t Slip
Use trained bartenders, who can monitor attendees for signs of inebriation, to prevent trouble. Identifying who had a little too much to drink can help avoid inappropriate behavior during the seudah and can help plan how to get that person home safely rather than having to scramble at the end of the seudah. Have volunteer members available as designated drivers or chaperones who can walk inebriated members home safely, especially if they are leaving the seudah alone.
Drink Up the Simchah
Announce and circulate your alcohol safety plan to your congregation ahead of your event. Having a plan in place before the seudah allows for a fun time for all and keeps everyone safe.
Have a happy and healthy Purim!
Kenneth Markowitz, MD, IMAC, CHCQM, is a certified addiction coach, owner of North Star Recovery Coaching and is available to talk to your shul board or Purim planning committee about safe alcohol use at your shul’s Purim festivities. For more information about how Dr. Markowitz helps people struggling with various addictions visit www.nsrcoach.com.