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Tuvia Book
Author, educator, Tour-Guide, artist

Titi: Ethiopian-Israeli Role Model

Titi as an officer in the IDF. Photo (c) IDF
Titi as an officer in the IDF. Photo (c) IDF

Today we commemorate the anniversary of Operation Solomon, the remarkable airlift to Israel and rescue of 14,000 Ethiopian Jews over one weekend in 1991. This included breaking a world record for the most airline passengers on one plane. 1086 Ethiopian Jews left Adis Ababa and were flown home on a single ELAL Boeing 747. During the flight two babies were born and the plane landed with 1088 new citizens!

It is important to acknowledge that with all of Israel’s incredible successes in many fields since its creation, there are issues that Israel is grappling with as it continues to stride in the 21st century. The problems that the Jewish State faces include topics as far ranging as: security, religion, society, environment, how to harmoniously co-exist with a minority population and immigrant absorption.  Ethiopian immigrants have especially felt the last issue, immigrant absorption.  It is very symbolic that Israel swore in, Pnina Tamano-Shata, the first Ethiopian–born Minister of Immigrant Absorption this week. It is important to acknowledge that following the dramatic rescue from certain death by Israel, which was a fine example of Zionism in action, many Ethiopian Jews still feel marginalised in society.

Whilst many of Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community can trace their roots in the country to the two dramatic airlifts of 1984 and 1991 (Operations Moses and Solomon), some of the community arrived independently. One such exceptional woman is Yityish (Titi) Aynaw, who was Miss Israel 2013.  Ms. Aynaw is someone who is a role model for our youth, and indeed for all of us.  Titi overcame tremendous adversity to reach the point of being a representative of her adopted country.

Titi’s journey from Ethiopia was quite different.  Orphaned at the age of twelve, she came alone to Israel to live with her maternal grandparents.  She came without the emotional, social, cultural, and linguistic skills necessary for an easy absorption.   Instead of wallowing in self-pity for the harsh lot given to her by life she rose above it, and through sheer grit and determination arrived at the point where she is today.  As Titi so expressively stated during an interview with the BBC:

My grandmother raised me. Nothing was handed to me on a plate.  I had to work very hard and long to achieve things in my life.  I felt a responsibility to prove myself in everything I did and to improve myself as well.

Ms. Aynaw has many role models in her life including Martin Luther King Junior.  She stated in a recent interview that:

Martin Luther King fought for justice and equality, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here. I want to show that my community has many beautiful qualities that aren’t always represented in the media.  Israel is a multicultural state. We’re diverse and we come from different countries, so we need to show that outwardly.

Imagine if you told a twelve-year-old orphan in a new country that she would overcome many of her absorption difficulties, serve as an officer in the IDF and be invited to meet with the President of the USA at a State gala, all within less than a decade after her arrival?  Only in Israel!

Titi and Tuvia. Photo (c) T. Book, 2020

Dr. Tuvia Book is the author of “For the Sake of Zion, A Curriculum of Israel Education” (Koren, 2017).   His forthcoming book on the Second Temple Period, from which parts of this article are excerpted,  will be published by Koren later this year.  He also is a  Ministry of Tourism licensed Tour Guide and a Judaica artist.  www.tuviabook.com

About the Author
Dr. Tuvia Book was born in London and raised in both the UK and South Africa. After making Aliya at the age of 17 and studying in Yeshiva he volunteered for the IDF, where he served in an elite combat unit. Upon his discharge he completed his BA at Bar-Ilan University, as well as certification in graphic design. He then served as the Information Officer at the Israeli Consulate of Philadelphia, while earning a graduate degree in Jewish Studies. Upon his return to Israel, Dr. Book graduated from a course of study with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, and is a licensed tour guide. Tuvia has been working in the field of Jewish Education, both formal and informal, for many years. He has guided and taught Jewish students and educators from around the English-speaking world for some of Israel’s premier educational institutions and programs. Tuvia has been guiding groups for Birthright Israel since its inception and, in addition, has lectured throughout North America, Australia, Europe and South Africa. Tuvia served as a Shaliach (emissary) for the Jewish Agency for Israel as the Director of Israel and Zionist Education at the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York (Jewish Education Project). He was a lecturer/educational guide at the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMIIE) in Israel for a decade. Tuvia has lectured at both Bar Ilan University and Hebrew University. He was a Senior Editor and Teaching Fellow at the Tikvah Fund. He is a research associate at the Hudson Institute. Tuvia is the author and illustrator the internationally acclaimed Israel education curriculum; "For the Sake of Zion; A Curriculum of Israel Studies" (Fifth edition, Koren 2017), and "Moral Dilemmas of the Modern Israeli Soldier" (Rama, 2011) and has a doctorate in Israel Education. His latest book, "Jewish Journeys, The Second Temple Period to the Bar Kokhba Revolt – 536 BCE-136 CE," was published by Koren this year. To order: https://korenpub.com/products/jewish-journeys
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