For much of the past year, we’ve seen that we are a nation divided—by politics and culture wars. All the more reason to consider a symbol that’s accepted by many people of varying political and social values, Santa Claus. Photographer Ron Cooper has a new book called, “We Are Santa: Portraits and Profiles.” Cooper joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom, along with one of the Santas featured in the book, Rick Rosenthal aka Santa Rick.
The book features 54 Santas and one Mrs. Claus. Rosenthal, who has been putting on the red suit since 1968, is an Orthodox Jew. He says he sees no contradiction between being an observant Jew and portraying a symbol of Christmas.
“Part of the Torah it says for the Jews to be a light unto the world. So, anything I can do as a person who happens to be a Jewish that helps to bring peace between people, make life easier, and make it a better world, that’s really what I’m supposed to do,” said Rosenthal.
Rosenthal is also the owner and dean of “Northern Lights Academy.” Their mission is to educate, inspire, and empower Santas worldwide in being exceptional in their professions.
Interview Highlights:
What inspired Cooper to create “We Are Santa:”
“Years ago, when I was doing a photo shoot in Mexico, I was photographing Civil War reenactors, cowboys, and gunslingers. When we finished that shoot, one of the subjects came over to me and said, ‘Do you have time for me to show you another character that I do?’ I said ‘Of course,’ and he went away and changed and came back as Santa Clause. He was wearing a beautiful western Santa suit, and it turned out he was a professional Santa. He did a gig at a shopping mall in Albuquerque, and I photographed him.”
He continued, “I came to understand that there are a number of people who are professional Santas. These are not people who buy a cheap Santa suit at a party store and go to a party on occasion. These are people who are genuinely dedicated to embodying the character, and the traditions and the history of Santa Clause.”
On the Black Santas featured in the book:
“Santa James is one of the relatively few African-American professional Santas. As you might imagine, from time-to-time his authenticity is challenged by children and by adults who say, ‘How can you be the real Santa if you’re not white?’ And he has a very philosophical approach to this, and he says to them directly, ‘How do we know what color Santa really is?’ Interestingly, if you go far back enough in history, there are certainly many historical instances where Saint Nick or Santa Clause has been characterized as having dark skin. But rather than acting negatively to these kinds of comments, Santa James uses it as an opportunity to educate these children. If you ask him what it’s all about, he says, ‘It’s not about the color of the skin of Santa Clause. It’s about Santa’s ability to communicate Christmas spirit, goodwill, compassion and charity.”
