In the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, between ancient stone alleys and the scent of incense, lies the home of Jerusalem's own Santa Claus. Just a five-minute walk from Jaffa Gate, we find ourselves before a large, Christmas-decorated door with a long line of cheerful retirees from Ashkelon, all excitedly waiting to have their photo taken with the local Santa.
Meet Issanis Kassissieh, a local basketball legend and an avid admirer of Santa Claus' social messages and joy. He has transformed the first floor of his family’s historic home into a museum dedicated to the character that represents Christmas Day, the very day we visited.
Jerusalem's Santa Claus
(Video: Assaf Kamar)
The Jerusalem Santa, who swapped the snow reindeer for a Mediterranean camel, brings the holiday spirit to one of the most complex cities in the world. "My message is one of joy, love and peace," he says with a smile.
How did you become Jerusalem's Santa Claus?
"I'm originally from an old Christian family in the Old City. I was always fascinated by the figure of Santa Claus and how he brings joy to so many people worldwide. A few years ago, I decided to take it a step further and become Santa myself. I built a home here with a Christmas atmosphere every day of the year. Since then, people from all over the world come to visit. For me, it's more than just a costume; it's a way of life that brings light and joy to the hearts of all who come here. I always tell myself that if I can make someone happy, then I've done my job. It’s exciting every single time."
Santa Claus' charming son, who studied luxurious Italian-style suit design in Naples, pours me a cup of well-spiced hot wine, intensifying the magical experience. A delicate scent of cinnamon fills the air. The place is perfectly decorated with a tall, colorful Christmas tree and traditional decorations on the walls. Before me stretches a long line of elderly visitors who came to see Santa, all with eyes sparkling like children. "It's amazing," says one visitor, "I feel like I've returned to my childhood."
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The local Santa Claus holds many cherished memories related to the joy he brings to visitors. "I'll never forget the time a group of Holocaust survivors came here," he recalls. "They were with a guide who told them about my place, and they were very moved.
"One of them, an elderly man, told me he hadn't seen anything like this since he was a small child. He even started singing a Christmas song from when he was young. It was a very emotional moment for me because I realized how many memories and how much meaning the figure of Santa Claus holds."
How does the local Jerusalem crowd react?
"As you know, Jerusalem has a unique mix of cultures. There are sometimes surprises. Muslims, Jews, Christians—all come here. Not long ago, a Jewish family came, especially because their children had heard about me at school. They were very excited, and I gave them a small gift—a snow globe. The father told me, 'It may not be part of our culture, but it's a message of joy and peace, and that's what we need.' That was a moment when I felt how my magic could connect people."
The walls of Santa's office are filled with certificates from professional Santa Claus schools in the United States, where Kassissieh learned to bake exquisite Christmas cookies like in the movies and to call out "Ho Ho Ho" professionally. "I have to admit, it's not easy to keep high energy all the time. People from all over the world expect to see Santa Claus at his best. So even when I'm tired, I put myself aside and focus on their joy. The physical part, like preparations, the costume, and the heat in summer, is part of the challenge. But in the end, their smile is worth it.
"My message is simple: joy, love and peace. It doesn't matter where you come from, what your religion is, or what language you speak. In the end, we all want the same things: to live in peace, make others happy and find small moments of happiness. I believe that especially during the holidays, we have an opportunity to pause and focus on what truly matters. This is the busiest time of the year for me. I make sure there are enough gifts for everyone who comes, especially the children."