Yityish Titi Aynaw

Yityish "Titi" Aynaw
Born Yityish "Titi" Aynaw
23 June 1991
Gondar, Ethiopia
Residence Israel
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Title Miss Israel 2013
(Winner for Miss Universe)
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair color Black
Eye color Brown
Major
competition(s)		 Miss Universe 2013

Yityish "Titi" Aynaw (born 23 June 1991) is an Ethiopian-born Israeli model who won the title of Miss Israel in 2013. She is the first Ethiopian-born Jew to win the contest.[1] Aynaw is also the first black Miss Israel winner.[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Aynaw was born in the village of Chahawit in Ethiopia's Gondar Province.[3] Growing up in Gondar Province, she led a "poor" but "often happy" childhood.[4] Her father died a year or two after her birth and her mother died when she was 10 years old, leaving her an orphan.[5][4] With her brother Yellek Aynaw, she moved to Israel to live with her grandparents when she was twelve.[6] The family lived in Netanya, Israel.[5] Initially, she struggled to assimilate, having to learn a different language[7] and adapt to a new culture.[3][8] However, she soon "threw herself at it," learning Hebrew and later serving in Israel's military.[3] In high school, Aynaw served as student body president, participated in track and field, and entered a national student film competition, winning first place.[5]

After graduating high school from Kfar HaNoar HaDati (Kfar Hassidim Youth Village), Aynaw served as a Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps of the Israel Defense Forces[4] and afterwards worked in a clothing store.[3]

Miss Israel 2013

Aynaw's friend registered her for the Miss Israel competition.[3][8] She had never modelled before.[8] In February, she won and received significant publicity in both national and international press.[3] Iris Cohen, the director of the competition, explained that "[Aynaw] stands on the stage and you cannot ignore her."[5] Aynaw's win was characterized by some members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community as being positive for Ethiopian-born Israelis.[9]

On March 2013, Aynaw was invited by the US President Barack Obama and the White House administration to attend a gala with Shimon Peres and Obama as he appreciated Israel crowning a black woman as Miss Israel and Aynaw having Obama as her "role model".[2][10] According to CNN's report "African Voices," Aynaw represented Israel in Miss Universe 2013. She was later named by The Jerusalem Post as 39th most influential Jew for that year.[11]

Miss Universe 2013

Aynaw represented Israel at the Miss Universe 2013 pageant on November 9, 2013 in Moscow. Although considered a favorite, she failed to place in the semifinals.

Survivor: Honduras

Aynaw competed in the 7th season of the Israeli edition of Survivor (titled Survivor: Honduras). She placed 2nd.

Personal life

Aynaw stated in a CNN article that she wanted to work in the fashion industry, be a role model for her community, and have a "big family" and "give my kids the experience I never had."[3] She is currently working on establishing a community arts education center in Netanya which would serve at-risk youth.[12]

Aynaw resides in Netanya, Israel.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kalman, Aaron (2013-02-28). "Miss Israel is Ethiopian immigrant". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  2. 1 2 Tait, Robert (2013-03-13). "Barack Obama to dine with first black Miss Israel". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sara Sidner; Earl Nurse (12 June 2013). "ityish Aynaw: The first black Miss Israel". CNN International. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Shalev, Chemi (13 June 2013). "Israel's Ethiopian beauty queen wows a stylish New York audience". Haaretz. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Meet Israel's Blunt, Bold Ethiopian-Born Beauty Queen". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  6. ↑ "Yityish Aynaw: First black Miss Israel will go to the ball". BBC Magazine. 21 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "Yityish Aynaw: First black Miss Israel will go to the ball - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  8. 1 2 3 "Black Jew Yityish Aynaw Crowned Miss Israel 2013". International Business Times UK. 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  9. ↑ Futterman, Don (2013-04-12). "Israel's Ethiopian Beauty Queen Sparks Debate". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  10. ↑ Sterman, Adiv (2013-03-13). "Why Obama is Miss Israel's 'role model'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  11. ↑ "Top 50 most influential Jews 2013". Jpost. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "Miss Israel — aka 'Titi' — takes a Los Angeles tour | Hollywood Jew". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Lina Makhuli		 Miss Israel
2013		 Succeeded by
Doron Matalon


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