Noa Cochva

Cochva was born in the Neve Savion neighborhood of Yehud, Israel. She is of Libyan Jewish heritage through her grandmother, who was born in Tripoli and fled to Israel in the midst of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Noa spent her childhood and received her education in the Bnei Atarot moshav. Her father, Eyal, was a pilot and squadron commander before working as a start-up business consultant and advisor. Her mother, Yael, served in the Israeli Air Force and is now a clinical psychologist and marriage therapist. Cochva has two brothers and two half-siblings from her father's first marriage.^[3]

As a child, Cochva was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder affecting platelet production. This required intermittent hospitalization for a year and a half. This experience sparked her interest in medicine, leading her to pursue a career in the field.^[3]

Following her studies, Cochva served in the Israel Defense Forces as a medic, later becoming an instructor and commander in a medical course. After completing her military service, she spent eight months studying at the baking and pastry school of chef and television presenter Estella Moshkovich-Belfer [he].^[4] She then worked as a pastry chef in a Yehud-Monosson restaurant until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure.^[5]

During the Gaza war, she served as a combat medic for about 150 days and then engaged in advocacy for the State of Israel voluntarily mainly in the United States and Canada. ^[5] In September 2025, Noa was selected by The Jerusalem Post and the JNF as one of the 25 most influential young people with a Zionist vision in the United States.

Cochva gained additional public attention following her participation in Miss Universe 2021, particularly for her role as a combat medic and her advocacy activities.^[6]

She was featured in The Jerusalem Post as part of a list recognizing influential young individuals with a Zionist vision, highlighting her transition from a beauty pageant titleholder to a public speaker and advocate.^[7]

Her activities during and after the Gaza war, including her service as a combat medic and subsequent international advocacy work, were covered by media outlets such as Ynet.^[8]

Cochva has also participated in public discussions and events addressing Israeli society and international perception, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.^[9]

In 2021, Cochva was crowned Miss Israel. She represented Israel at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant, which was held in Eilat, Israel.^[10]