First black Miss Israel embraces Ethiopian roots

Miss Israel Yityish "Titi" Aynaw, the country's first Ethiopian-born pageant queen, visited the Naitonal Press Club Sept. 25 as part of a U.S. tour.

Aynaw, orphaned as a child and sent to live with her grandparents in Israel, is part of a small community of Ethiopian Jews.

Aynaw, who became a model after completing her service in the Israeli Army, toured the Club and met with reporters and Club members. Club Vice President Myron Belkind presented Aynaw with the traditional NPC coffee mug.

Aynaw, crowned in February, will represent Israel in the Miss Universe pageant Nov. 9 in Russia. In March, she met with President Obama during his trip to Israel.