Touring with Madeleine: December 2020

Comments from Recent Visitors

"Madeleine is refreshingly quirky and that is a wonderful quality. That is in addition to her extraordinary wealth of knowledge and openness."

"Madeleine gave us an objective view of the people and places we see on the news."

"Madeleine kept our children, 10, 13, 15 yrs interested and engaged (as only a former teacher can), and her depth of knowledge was welcome by the adults in the group."

"Madeleine gracefully navigated complex issues of faith and culture and we came away with a much better perspective of Jerusalem through 3,000 years of history"

"Madeleine has a talent for listening to what we're interested in and crafting an itinerary that when experienced, flows perfectly while she is open to being flexible and the serendipity of discovery"

"Madeleine was incredible - a huge wealth of information,

"We were a diverse group - different ages, religions, athletic abilities - and Madeleine managed to accommodate us all."

Madeleine was extremely professional with a wonderful sense of humour"

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

CHRISTMAS 2020: JERUSALEM'S SANTA

The Old City is very quiet this year. However, if you walk down St. Peter's Street from the New Gate, and continue down the winding alleyways of the Christian Quarter to the junction of St. Peter's Street and the Latin Patriarchate Road, you will soon hit "Santa Lane" where this December you can find the festively decorated Santa's House.

Issa Kassissieh, outside Santa's House
December 2020

For three years, Palestinian Catholic and well-know former local basketball player Issa (Jesus) Kassissieh, has been dressing up as the Jerusalem Santa and decorating his family's traditional 14th century home.

This year Santa is needed more than ever.

Kassassieh, 42, says, "I try to bring happiness, even when I can't give a hug. When I talk to the children I see they need this in this situation. A smile, a nice word - they are very happy for that. Anyone can put on a red suit, but if you don't do it from the heart, you can't bring the miracle of Santa."

In better years, he has given his Santa a local twist by trading in the reindeer for a borrowed camel he rides in the Old City to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

Santa on his Camel

People of all religions visit. "I don't care who they are. My message is love and peace. Santa is for everybody."

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2021!

(Adapted from an article by Judith Sudilovsky, Catholic News Service)