Rabbi Establishes Royal House of Kanaani to Preserve Feline Legacy
News fromCourierPR · 1 min read
Rabbi Mikhail Salita has established the Royal House of Kanaani, a cultural and preservation initiative aimed at carrying forward the feline legacy of King Solomon. This new organization, affiliated with the Brooklyn-based Salita Foundation, seeks to honor the Kanaani cat breed, which has roots in Jerusalem and is now being celebrated in New York.
Salita, who is also an ordained rabbi and animal chaplain, explains that the inspiration for the Royal House of Kanaani comes from Jewish accounts of King Solomon’s throne, which included a golden cat on its fifth step.
The Kanaani breed was developed in Jerusalem by artist and Holocaust survivor Doris Pollatschek. Salita notes that Pollatschek’s contribution is central to the Royal House’s mission.
The Royal House of Kanaani comprises a royal family of cats, including King Arbuz, Queen Haifa, Crown Prince Sky, Crown Princess Layla Yom Tov, Princess Haya, Princess Neshama, and Princess Sasha. Salita serves as the Royal Custodian of the Heirs to King Solomon's Feline Throne.
In August 2026, Queen Haifa and Princess Haya participated in a World Cat Federation show in Finland and subsequently held first place among Kanaani cats in their respective adult and kitten/junior categories in the WCF Best Cat 2026 rankings. In October, Crown Princess Layla Yom Tov welcomed kittens, bringing a new generation into the family.
Salita emphasizes the importance of the Kanaani breed’s modesty and quiet dignity.
The Royal House of Kanaani welcomes cultural partnerships, institutional support, and sponsorships to advance breed preservation and educational projects exploring Jewish heritage and the human-animal bond.
The initiative draws on a teaching in the Talmud that people can learn modesty from the cat. Salita finds a particular resonance between that teaching and the Kanaani's little-known history.
The Royal House of Kanaani is dedicated to preserving the Kanaani breed and ensuring its future. Through this initiative, Salita hopes to honor the breed’s rich history and contribute to the ongoing cultural and preservation efforts.