Miss Israel World International honors Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikar’s 27-year legacy

As the newly crowned Miss Israel World International and former Miss Netanya 2024 in the Miss Universe Israel pageant, I am deeply moved by the passing of Netanya’s longtime mayor, Miriam Feirberg-Ikar, who served the city for 27 years and was beloved by all. She passed away at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped the city and the hearts of those who call it home.

I never had the honor of meeting Mayor Feirberg-Ikar personally, yet I came to know her through the stories of the people she inspired. Everywhere I went, someone shared a memory: “I worked with her.. She helped our neighborhood.. She gave her life to this city.”

It amazed me how many residents had a personal story about her — proof of a leader who didn’t just sit in an office but was woven into the heartbeat of the city itself. She was a mayor whose influence could be felt in every street, school, cultural center, and neighborhood, touching families, immigrants, and generations of residents alike.

For 27 years, Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikar devoted herself to Netanya. She didn’t merely govern — she transformed the city. She took a coastal town and shaped it into a vibrant, thriving city known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and strong sense of community. She supported families, immigrants, students, and businesses, and she created programs that empowered people and celebrated their achievements. Public spaces like Charlie Kirk Square were testaments to her vision — honoring leaders whose contributions inspired change and reflected the values she championed.

When I was crowned Miss Netanya 2024, I began to understand her impact in ways I had never imagined. Wearing the Miss Netanya sash, I attended community events, parades, and cultural celebrations. At every gathering, people shared stories about her leadership, compassion, and dedication. From neighbors to business owners to students who had grown up in programs she supported, every story revealed a mayor who truly understood and cared for the city she served. Even though I never met her personally, I felt her presence through the hearts of those she served.

One of the most meaningful moments was learning that Mayor Miriam had heard about my win. Friends had forwarded her my article, and I proudly wore the Miss Netanya sash while marching in the annual Israel Parade in New York, carrying the city’s story and spirit with me. Even in her final year, she recognized the importance of passing Netanya’s story forward. That knowledge made my role as the first beauty queen to represent the city feel even more significant — a symbolic passing of the torch from a woman who had dedicated nearly three decades to shaping the city.

Her passing reshaped the way I see my role. Being Miss Netanya is no longer only about representing beauty, culture, or community — it is about honoring a legacy. It is about carrying forward the values of a woman who gave her life to a city she loved. As I continue my journey as Miss Israel World International and Miss World Influencer 2025, I carry her vision with me: to represent the city with gratitude, pride, and responsibility, keeping alive the principles she lived by.

Netanya is more than a city — it is a home built on vision, compassion, and leadership. The pride and love of its residents reflect the life, dedication, and heart that Mayor Miriam poured into every corner of it. Her influence is visible in the streets, the schools, the programs, and the people whose lives she shaped. Through my platform, my advocacy, and every moment I represent this city on the global stage, I honor her legacy — a legacy of dedication, love, and unwavering service that will never fade.

Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikar’s life reminds us that leadership is more than a title — it is a commitment to shaping people, communities, and futures. Her story inspires me and countless others to lead with heart, to serve with purpose, and to ensure that the city she loved continues to shine. In carrying her legacy forward, I carry Netanya in my heart wherever I go.