Brooklyn-recognized Rabbi Mikhail Salita advances cultural diplomacy connecting Israel, Ukraine, Greece, and the United States as the rare Jerusalem-born Kanaani cat breed receives a warm welcome ahead of an international exhibition in Athens.
NEW YORK, November 3, 2026 — An ancient Jewish literary tradition, a rare cat breed originating in Jerusalem, and an upcoming international exhibition in Athens are coming together in a new chapter of cultural diplomacy led by Rabbi Mikhail Salita, founder of the Royal House of Kanaani and custodian of one of the world’s rarest domestic cat breeds.
PRINCESS NESHAMA: THE TRUE SPIRIT OF KANAANI! 
—Born to represent a rare breed. Destined for the international stage.
On November 28–29, 2026, Kanaani cats are expected to be presented at the international Felina Greece cat exhibition in Athens. Organizers have already expressed a warm welcome and special interest in their participation, recognizing the significance of bringing this exceptionally rare breed to an international audience.
For Rabbi Salita, the occasion represents more than a feline exhibition. It is an opportunity to strengthen historical and cultural connections among Israel, Greece, Ukraine, and the United States through the shared appreciation of animals, heritage, and humanitarian values.
From the Septuagint to the Kanaani: A Cultural Bridge Across Centuries
Jerusalem and Athens have been connected through intellectual, religious, and cultural exchange for more than two millennia. The Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, became one of history’s most influential bridges between Jewish and Greek-speaking civilizations.
Today, the Royal House of Kanaani seeks to create a new, symbolic connection between these cultural worlds. Rather than transmitting sacred texts, this modern initiative brings a living heritage associated with Jerusalem to an international audience through the Kanaani cat breed.
PRINCESS HAYA: THE WORLD’S NO. 1 KANAANI KITTEN IS HEADING TO ATHENS!
The breed was developed in Jerusalem in the late twentieth century by Doris Pollatschek, drawing inspiration from the native feline population and natural environment of the Land of Israel.
Its cultural symbolism is further enriched by a remarkable Jewish literary tradition. In Targum Sheni to the Book of Esther, King Solomon’s magnificent throne is described as featuring golden animal figures, including a golden cat positioned opposite a golden rooster.
Although the account is a literary tradition rather than evidence of a historical connection between Solomon’s court and the modern breed, it provides a compelling cultural symbol for the Royal House of Kanaani’s preservation mission.
Israel, Ukraine, Greece, and the United States: Cultural Diplomacy Through Living Heritage
The international initiative also reflects Ukraine’s place in a long history of cultural exchange with the Jewish and Greek worlds. The territories of present-day Ukraine have maintained connections with Greek civilization since antiquity, particularly through the ancient Greek settlements along the northern Black Sea coast. Jewish communities likewise became an enduring part of Ukraine’s cultural and historical landscape.
Rabbi Salita, who was born in Odesa and now resides in Brooklyn, represents the Ukrainian feline club Feline Alliance of Ukraine in international exhibitions.
His participation in Athens therefore brings together several dimensions of cultural identity: the Jerusalem origins of the Kanaani breed, Ukrainian felinological representation, Greek hospitality, and American community recognition.
The Royal House of Kanaani is being developed as a cultural institution dedicated to rare-breed preservation, education, the human–animal bond, and international cultural diplomacy. The initiative operates alongside The World Kanaani Organization under the umbrella of the Salita Foundation, a U.S. nonprofit organization.
“More than two thousand years ago, the Septuagint helped connect the Jewish and Greek worlds through sacred texts. Today, the Kanaani offers a different kind of bridge — one built through living heritage, compassion, and cultural understanding,” said Rabbi Salita.
“Israel, Ukraine, and Greece share historical connections that deserve to be studied, preserved, and renewed. Sometimes cultural diplomacy begins not with governments or treaties, but with a small living creature that brings people together.”
Brooklyn Recognition Strengthens an International Mission
The Athens exhibition follows another milestone in Rabbi Salita’s work. On October 29, 2026, National Cat Day, he received an official Citation from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso recognizing his service to the Brooklyn community.
The recognition reflects Rabbi Salita’s broader commitment to community service, cultural education, animal welfare, and the preservation of living heritage.
As a rabbi, Animal Chaplain, and specialist in applied behavior analysis, he approaches the human–animal bond as both an educational and spiritual responsibility. His work draws inspiration from the Jewish principle of chesed — active kindness and compassion — and the biblical tradition of King Solomon’s wisdom concerning the natural world.
The Royal House of Kanaani aims to transform these principles into educational and cultural initiatives that can engage schools, universities, libraries, animal-welfare organizations, and international audiences.
A Royal Welcome in Athens
The positive reception from the Greek exhibition organizers represents another encouraging step in the international development of the Kanaani preservation initiative.
“Abraham taught us to welcome strangers with kindness, and King Solomon’s wisdom embraced the natural world. When people from different countries welcome the Kanaani, they demonstrate how those ancient values can remain meaningful today,” Rabbi Salita said.
“The golden cat of King Solomon belongs to Jewish literary tradition. The living Kanaani cats belong to our present. Our responsibility is to preserve their future.”
RAV PAPA KANAANI — THE ROYAL CUSTODIAN OF THE HOUSE OF KANAANI — A proud moment for Brooklyn. A historic chapter for the Kanaani legacy.
The November exhibition in Athens is expected to offer an opportunity to introduce the rare Kanaani breed to new audiences while strengthening cultural connections among Israel, Ukraine, Greece, and the United States.
From Jerusalem to Brooklyn and now Athens, the Royal House of Kanaani seeks to demonstrate how the preservation of a rare animal breed can also become an instrument of cultural diplomacy, education, and international goodwill.
About the Royal House of Kanaani
The Royal House of Kanaani is a cultural and feline-preservation initiative operating under the Salita Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Together with The World Kanaani Organization, it promotes the preservation of the rare Jerusalem-origin Kanaani cat breed, cultural education, animal welfare, the human–animal bond, and international cultural diplomacy.
Media Contact
Mikhail Salita
Royal House of Kanaani / Salita Foundation
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Email:press@twko.org
Website: https://twko.org/
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