BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — November 1, 2026 — What if a story from ancient Jerusalem could inspire a new generation of children to love animals, respect cultural heritage, and recognize the value of every living creature?

For Rabbi Mikhail Salita, an animal chaplain, children’s author, and custodian of the exceptionally rare Israeli Kanaani cat breed, this vision is becoming an international educational and cultural mission.

On October 29, 2026, National Cat Day, Salita received an official Citation from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in recognition of his service to the Brooklyn community.

The recognition marks a significant milestone in Salita’s broader work connecting animal welfare, Jewish cultural heritage, the human–animal bond, and the preservation of the rare Kanaani breed.

But beyond the official recognition lies a remarkable story — one that begins with a golden cat on the legendary throne of King Solomon.

An Ancient Golden Cat, a Living Royal Family

According to Targum Sheni to the Book of Esther, King Solomon’s magnificent throne included a golden cat positioned opposite a golden rooster on its fifth step.

More than two thousand years later, the rare Kanaani cat breed emerged in Jerusalem, the ancient city associated with Solomon’s kingdom.

The connection is symbolic and cultural rather than genealogical. Yet it provides an extraordinary opportunity to bring ancient traditions into modern education.

Salita has developed this vision through the Royal House of Kanaani, a cultural and breed-preservation initiative whose living members include King Arbuz, Queen Haifa, Crown Princess Laila Yom Tov, Crown Prince Sky, and other royal cats.

These are not fictional animals. They are real, documented Kanaani cats whose personalities, adventures, and family stories can introduce children to the importance of compassion and responsible animal care.

The recent arrival of Crown Princess Laila’s kittens adds a new generation to this living royal story.

The Golden Cat of King Solomon: A Story Every Child Can Understand

Under the literary name Rav Papa Kanaani, Salita has written “The Golden Cat of King Solomon,” a children’s story inspired by the ancient Jewish tradition.

The story begins with a tired cat arriving at the gates of King Solomon’s palace.

When a guard dismisses the visitor as “only a cat,” Solomon orders that the animal be welcomed, fed, and cared for.

The king eventually discovers that the answer to a question about his magnificent throne may have arrived in the form of this unexpected guest.

The story offers a simple but powerful lesson: wisdom is not merely the ability to understand the world. It is also the ability to recognize the dignity of those who share it with us.

For young readers, the tale offers an accessible world of royal characters, adventure, and kindness.

For parents and educators, it opens conversations about responsibility, compassion, cultural heritage, and the special relationship between humans and animals.

A Mission Beyond Religious and Cultural Boundaries

Although the Golden Cat story draws upon Jewish literary tradition, its message reaches beyond any single community.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all preserve traditions connected to the biblical world, the importance of creation, and humanity’s moral responsibilities.

The Book of Genesis describes animals as part of creation before humankind appears.

For Salita, this ancient narrative offers an opportunity to remind children and adults that animals are not merely possessions or decorations in human life. They are living beings deserving care and respect.

The educational vision also recognizes the importance of the human–animal bond, including the emotional relationships that can develop between children, families, and companion animals.

By combining storytelling with real animals and cultural history, the initiative seeks to make compassion understandable, memorable, and meaningful for young audiences.

From Brooklyn to Schools, Libraries, and Families Worldwide

Following the Brooklyn recognition, Salita hopes to expand the educational dimension of the Royal House of Kanaani through children’s literature, storytelling presentations, school visits, library programs, and family-oriented cultural events.

The proposed programs would introduce children to the rare Kanaani breed, the legendary Golden Cat of King Solomon, and the responsibilities involved in caring for animals.

Photographs, videos, and stories featuring the Royal House’s real cats could help children connect the literary characters with living animals.

The mission is designed for diverse audiences, including public and private schools, libraries, Jewish community centers, cultural institutions, and family organizations.

Its educational themes include animal welfare, empathy, responsible pet ownership, cultural understanding, and respect for living creatures.

The initiative also offers potential opportunities for partnerships with educators, publishers, philanthropists, and organizations interested in humane education.

Preserving One of the World’s Rarest Cat Breeds

The Kanaani breed originated in Jerusalem in the 1990s through the breeding work of Doris Pollatschek.

Despite its distinctive appearance and Israeli origins, the breed remains exceptionally rare.

Salita’s American Kanaani Revival Program seeks to preserve documented purebred Kanaani cats, support responsible breeding, and introduce the breed to wider international audiences.

In August 2026, two members of the Royal House, Queen Haifa and Princess Haya, participated in a World Cat Federation exhibition in Vantaa, Finland.

Their results brought international recognition to the revival effort and helped demonstrate the continuing presence of this rare breed in organized feline exhibitions.

The preservation mission is connected to Salita Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2025.

The World Kanaani Organization (TWKO) and the Royal House of Kanaani operate under the umbrella of Salita Foundation, bringing together animal welfare, cultural preservation, education, and charitable initiatives.

A Crown That Represents Responsibility

For Salita, the symbolism of the Royal House is not about privilege or luxury.

It is about responsibility.

In his author’s reflection accompanying “The Golden Cat of King Solomon,” he writes:

“When we crown an animal, we do not diminish humanity—we elevate it. Compassion does not make human beings smaller. It makes humanity greater.”

This philosophy gives the Royal House of Kanaani its central message.

The royal titles celebrate the animals, but the responsibility belongs to the humans who care for them.

The cats are living creatures whose welfare must always come before their symbolic roles.

Salita describes his own position as Royal Custodian of the Heirs to King Solomon’s Feline Throne, emphasizing stewardship rather than ownership of an ancient legacy.

History in the Making — A Legacy for the Next Generation

The official Citation from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso recognizes Salita’s service to the Brooklyn community.

His developing educational mission seeks to carry that spirit of service beyond Brooklyn, using an ancient story and a living family of rare cats to encourage compassion across cultures and generations.

The Royal House of Kanaani offers a distinctive meeting point between history and the present, literature and animal welfare, ancient Jerusalem and modern New York.

For a child, it may begin with a simple question: Who was the Golden Cat of King Solomon?

For a family, it may become an introduction to the remarkable Kanaani breed.

For a community, it may offer a new way to teach kindness, responsibility, and respect for life.

And for the rare Kanaani cats themselves, increased awareness may help build a more secure future.

Real Royal Cats. Real Stories. Real Love.

About Salita Foundation

Established in 2025, Salita Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting charitable, cultural, educational, and animal-welfare initiatives.

Its programs include The World Kanaani Organization (TWKO) and the Royal House of Kanaani, which promote the preservation of the rare Israeli Kanaani breed and the cultural symbolism associated with King Solomon’s legendary golden cat.

Media Contact

Mikhail Salita
Salita Foundation
The World Kanaani Organization
Royal House of Kanaani
Brooklyn, New York, USA