From the Facebook page of Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren.
I had the honor of accompanying Israeli heroine, activist and former Miss World Linor Abargil on Capitol Hill yesterday for a screening of her film “Brave Miss World” with the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. The film follows Linor on her journey of healing after being raped weeks before being crowned Miss World in 1998 and also shares the reality of the rape of women throughout the world. Today, Linor continues to battle for justice, and travels the world to tell her story and inspire others to speak out.
Through her advocacy, Linor is not only creating awareness within the Israeli public, but also influencing cultural and social change around the world. Her choice to share her story on film in the hope that it will encourage other victims to speak out and seek justice is truly honorable.
Photo: Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Linor Abargil, me, Congressman Juan Vargas
The photo is particularly interesting, given the appearance of Linor Abargil, the former Miss Israel and 1998 Miss World. With her clearly modest clothing – hair covered and long sleeves – I drew the conclusion that she is now religiously observant.
This story confirms it.
As Abargil slowly moved on, she realized the beauty in small things.?That new appreciation led her from her secular upbringing to Orthodoxy. The woman who once posed in the skimpiest of bikinis now covers herself at all times.
“You can’t take anything for granted. That’s what religion really is all about,” said the 33-year-old.
When asked if she would have become religious even if she hadn’t been raped, Abargil replies thoughtfully, “I don’t know. It’s hard to say.. Lots of things make you what you are.”
What makes her transformation even more interesting – beyond the fact she used to wear the skimpiest of clothing – is the fact her first husband was a non-Jewish Lithuanian basketball player.
Update: Here is the trailer to her documentary film.
