Alcohol-free Purim
WITH Purim just around the corner, community leaders are once again warning of the dangers of underage drinking.
WITH Purim just around the corner, community leaders are once again warning of the dangers of underage drinking.
Operations manager of Chevra Hatzolah, Danny Elbaum, reported a steady increase in alcohol abuse among teens over the past decade.
Calling on parents to take control, he said he was particularly concerned with associated risk behaviour, including sexual abuse. “If you don’t want your child to attend a Purim party or any other party, just say no. Rest assured, you will not be the only parent that does so,” he said.
President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria Rabbi Yaakov Glasman said there was a common misconception in the community that excessive drinking was considered a mitzvah on Purim. “Jewish law makes it abundantly clear that drinking alcohol in a manner which puts one’s health in danger, or makes one prone to behaviour that brings embarrassment to the community, is completely and utterly forbidden,” he said.
He added that the real meaning of Purim was obscured by the focus on drinking and parties. “We should be concerning ourselves with the joy of Purim and the mitzvot of hearing the megillah, helping the needy and giving mishloach manot to friends,” he said.
Member for Caulfield David Southwick noted recent reforms to legislation as a positive step towards reducing youth alcohol abuse during the festive period. Under a Victorian law passed last year, it is illegal to serve alcohol to young people in private homes, with fines up to $7000.
“In particular, during the festival of Purim and the parties associated with it, it is important that young people and their families know to act responsibly and follow the law. This loophole that allowed young people to drink legally as long as they were in someone’s home has long been a concern for parents, and it is great it has been closed,” said Southwick.
Debbie Zauder, who leads the Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s (JCCV’s) Youth Alcohol Project, welcomed the government’s initiative. “Cutting out any grey area in this area of policy will go a long way in changing community attitudes,” she said.
LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA
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