Inside the Beauty of Miss Universe Israel 2025

This month, the Miss Universe Israel 2025 competition took place at the Hilton Aventura Hotel in Florida — a dynamic, high-energy week where eleven remarkable women proudly represented cities across Israel, each showcasing her unique style, passion, and beauty, all with Israeli pride.

As Miss Netanya and a finalist in Miss Universe Israel 2024, as well as a mentor to Broadway youth in productions like Les Misérables and The Sound of Music, I’ve seen firsthand what it truly takes to be stage-ready. It all begins with discipline—the consistent effort that happens long the spotlight ever hits. From early mornings to late nights, it’s the dedication behind the scenes that builds the strength to perform under pressure.

Pageantry, like theater, is a true test of character. Amid the excitement of the week, one contestant quietly rose to the top and won the crown—Miss Caesarea, Melanie Shiraz, a tech entrepreneur with no prior pageant experience, she entered the competition not with ego, but with clarity, humility, and focus.

I first met Melanie during the sash ceremony on the opening day of rehearsals. As I welcomed the contestants to Miss Universe Israel 2025, she shared with me about her preparation.

“I arrived a few weeks before the competition,” she said. “I started by learning what to expect — how to walk for different events, what to wear, and how to prepare. But more importantly, I thought about the kind of energy I wanted to bring into the room. For me, that meant leading with kindness, grace, and poise.”

While Melanie won the crown with a message rooted in innovation and quiet strength, the runners-up used their voices to impact the Jewish community and combat antisemitism.

Under the leadership of National Director Edgar Saaykan, who became director of Miss Universe Israel in 2024, the competition has evolved beyond a beauty contest into a global platform celebrating Israeli heritage and welcoming both Israeli and Jewish women as contestants.

Danielle Yablonka, Miss Herzliya and the first runner-up, has spoken boldly about her encounters with anti-Zionism on American college campuses, using her platform to engage and educate Israeli youth.

Adela Cojab, Miss Tel Aviv and the second runner-up, brought years of Jewish activism into the spotlight, drawing on her experience testifying before the U.S. Congress about antisemitism in academia.

Together, these three women are shaping the future of Israel advocacy. They represent a new generation of fearless, articulate Israeli and Jewish American women leading with strength, activism, and innovation.