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I will be posting a monthly blog highlighting practical addictive behavior advice and providing specific insights into addiction. This month I’m focusing on safe Purim seudah behavior.

The Purim seudah is a time to get together with family and friends. Many synagogues 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. With Purim about six weeks away, if your synagogue 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.

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 synagogue can be held liable if someone leaves a synagogue event inebriated and causes harm or damage because of his or her altered state. Going dry should be considered especially if your synagogue had past issues with inappropriate member behavior due to alcohol consumption.

If alcohol is on the menu at your synagogue's Purim seudah, here are some ways to keep both the non-legal and legal aged members safe.

 Keep alcohol out of the hands of members who are under the drinking age. Allowing underage drinking at a synagogue event is illegal and could lead to both civil and criminal consequences. Know the law in your state ahead of time.

 Alcohol access can be limited 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 wrist band shown at the bar/drink table or given a drink ticket that gets turned in when taking an alcoholic beverage. 

 Controlling alcohol consumption for the legal age crowd is also important. 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.

 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- 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.

 Using trained bar tenders, who can monitor attendees for signs of inebriation, is a good way 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 get 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.

 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