Former Yeshiva [Orthodox Jewish School] of Flatbush student now plays Santa Claus

Your Jewish News ^ | Dec 16, 2012 | Shifra Unger

[expat1000]

Can a Jew play the role of Santa, dress as Santa, bring toys for non-Jewish kids and take photos dressed up as Santa? Well, one Jewish man named Dana Friedman plays Santa.

The 53-year-old Friedman is an attorney in Queens, New York, and has been playing Santa for 11 years.

It all started after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when Friedman, whose law office is located a few blocks from the World Trade Center site, wanted to give back to first responders.

He feared that money donated to different charity funds would not make it directly to the brave men and women, so instead of donating money he wanted to donate services. His paralegal said: “You are fat why don’t you put on a Santa suit and visit the families of firefighters and police officers affected by the attacks.”

[Best and Brightest]

This is not so unusual. Jews are big into giving charity and giving of their time to the general community. Playing Santa is when a Santa is needed is one good way to do this. Most Jewish mothers take pride that their sons are doing a good deed to bring happiness to others. Many a Jewish kid has sat on Santa’s lap at Christmas time and shared in the general fun of the season.

[willowdean]

Merry Christx.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Time to cue up the parody song, “Westside” by Dr. Dyke and The Cinnamon Cowboys!
http://www.myspace.com/music/player?sid=27040569&ac=now

[faithhopecharity]

Christmas celebrates the birth of a Jew, so if a Jew feels like contributing to the joy of the holiday that’s just great. What’s perhaps more surprising is that a lawyer would be capable of Christmas cheer and generosity. (Just having fun, nobody needs to have a cow, ha!). Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

[expat1000]

>>Time to cue up the parody song, “Westside” by Dr. Dyke and The Cinnamon Cowboys!
http://www.myspace.com/music/player?sid=27040569&ac=now

Hey, that’s pretty well done! I never heard of those guys before - sounds like a club band, but a good one.

[Gene Eric]

>> Can a Jew play the role of Santa, dress as Santa, bring toys for non-Jewish kids and take photos dressed up as Santa?

In a word, yes.

[muir_redwoods]

There would be no Christmas without a Jew. Well played Mr. Friedman.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Don’t forget Hanukkah Harry Saves Christmas!

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/hanukkah-harry/280237/

[Gay State Conservative]

I have no problem with this.There's no reason why Jewish people can't try to "help" Christian kids just as it's reasonable for Christians to "help" Jewish kids.In the hospital where I worked there was a well established plan where the Jewish physicians would cover for Christian ones on Christmas and Easter and the Christians would cover for the Jews on several Jewish holidays.Sounds OK to me.

[Jack Hydrazine]

He also has another one called “Smells Like Xmas Spirit” that is a parody of a famous Nirvana song.
Some lyrics...

All the deadlines,
All the chimneys,
I don’t fit cause
I’m not skinny!

All the kids say
Come and please us
I should tell them
Go ask Jesus!

Plus they also did, “Rambo” and “Pardon Me While I Burp.”
You can check them all out here.
http://www.myspace.com/drdyke