Yelena Ralph, 21, who made aliyah alone from Ukraine three years ago and currently resides in Ramat-Gan, was crowned 2005 Israel Beauty Queen last week.
She came to Israel by herself at the age of 18, under the Jewish Agency’s Selah program (Students before Parents), a prestigious educational program geared towards young immigrants, ages 17-20, who arrive in Israel without their parents. The program includes learning Hebrew, English, mathematics, Jewish heritage and tradition.
Here is the concluding part of the announcement of the winner at last week’s ceremony:
“. . . Her parents, whom she has not seen in a long while, are sitting in the audience with us. The 2005 Israel Beauty Queen is . . . Yelena Ralph.”
She will now represent Israel in the 2005 Miss Universe contest on May 30 in Bangkok, Thailand.
(Hat tip: Clarity & Resolve).