Just
Say No, Even on Purim
by Kelly Hartog, Staff Writer
Courtesy of
The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles
Religious groups are protesting drinking on Purim
following a rise in teen alcoholism.
One is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until
one cannot distinguish between “cursed is Haman” and “blessed is Mordechai”
(Talmud, Megillah 7b).
Purim is like the Jewish topsy-turvy day.
Unlike many Jewish holidays, which are marked by serious and meaningful
customs like lighting the menorah or holding a seder, Purim’s main edict
seems to be: have fun.
On the holiday that celebrates the downfall of the evil Haman and the saving
of the Jewish people from destruction, adults and children alike dress up in
costumes, put on satirical spiels and conclude the holiday by eating a
festive meal — and getting drunk.
Now, concern over the rise in teenage alcoholism in the Orthodox community
has led some rabbis and organizations to protest this last custom.
This year, the Orthodox Union (OU) and the National Council for Synagogue
Youth (NCSY) have produced a brochure aimed specifically at teenagers to
combat the issue of drinking on Purim.
The brochure is being distributed to some 10,000 OU synagogues and NCSY
chapters throughout the country and can also be downloaded from the NCSY Web
site (www.ou.org/ncsy).
The two-page pamphlet features cute diagrams printed in wine-colored text.
It explodes the idea that you’re “supposed” to drink on Purim, and has
catchy headlines that include “Breaking News: A nonalcoholic version of wine
is now widely available! It’s called grape juice.”
“Purim in general is an amazing wonderful holiday but a lot of kids take it
to excess,” said Rabbi Steven Burg, national director of NCSY. “It’s
important to send a message in this brochure that this is not carte blanche.
It’s not a Jewish frat party where it’s OK to get trashed in this 24-hour
period.”
Burg said that Purim was chosen to launch the pamphlet because it’s a major
holiday in the Orthodox community.
“Over the years drinking on the holiday has been taken to excess and I don’t
even think we realize it,” he said.
But combating drinking on Purim is not the end goal of course; it’s putting
an end to teenage alcoholism and all forms of substance abuse — a trend
that’s on the rise, say those who work with teenagers.
Some current events have made the problem more pressing. In November 2004,
42 high school kids were arrested for drug and alcohol abuse at a party of a
Livingston, N.J., yeshiva student. And, just last month, an Encino boy died
from a drug overdose while in yeshiva in Israel, while four others were
arrested there on drug dealing charges.
Many in the Orthodox community have recently demanded some institutionwide
action against an often hidden problem among kids. And Purim — along with
other religious events that encourage drinking — has also come under fire.
Last month, the OU called for an end to Kiddush Clubs — an ever-popular
Shabbat morning custom where some synagogue congregants leave services
during the haftarah reading for bite to eat and a drink or two.
Despite protests from congregants, some synagogues have taken action. Young
Israel of Century City was among the first, sending out a letter to its
members to say that a Kiddush Club “sets an inappropriate example for our
children,” and citing a young man who said the beginning of his substance
abuse began as a child with alcohol at his shul’s Kiddush Club every Shabbat
morning.
Certainly, the rise in substance abuse among teens is not confined to the
Orthodox community, but the OU’s new task force signifies that the religious
community is taking notice.
The whole community is in denial, said Rabbi Mark Borowitz, the founder and
director of Beit T’Shuvah, a Jewish rehabilitation house who himself is a
recovering alcoholic.
“None of us have wanted to face this problem,” he said. “And the OU should
really be commended for saying OK, we have this issue and we’re not just
going to sit around and do nothing.’”
Borowitz says teenage alcoholism is on the rise across the board.
“Kids are looking for something to get out of themselves and that’s always
problematic,” he said. “As things get worse in the world there’s more
hopelessness and there’s more need to escape.”
Burg said that the community’s denial of the problem is melting — and that
the OU’s new anti-drug task force will help. Under the banner of “Safe
Homes, Safe Shuls, Safe Schools,” the new program will hold meetings,
provide educational material and guest speakers throughout the country. In
addition, NCSY has posted materials on its Web site discussing the dangers
of drug and alcohol abuse. There is also a sign-up list for kids to publicly
promise to avoid taking drugs and alcohol.
“We want our kids to have a clean, moral life,” Burg said. “And we need to
bring a heightened awareness to parents to keep their eyes open. Teenagers
are not adults. They still need love and a hug and understanding.”
Burg, who is hosting 150 teenagers this year at his house, will lead by
example: this year he will only serve grape juice.
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