December 10, 2018, Updated December 25, 2018

Nothing could stop the joy for Israelis when Netta Barzilai won the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon. It was Israel’s first win in 20 years. The celebrations were long and widespread, and even the subsequent arguments about where next year’s Eurovision will be held (Tel Aviv was finally chosen) did nothing to diminish the triumph. What made Barzilai so special is that her song, “Toy,” had such a strong feminist tone – capturing the zeitgeist of the #MeToo movement — and that she was such a different role model – smart, sassy and proud.

Israel has had two wins in a row before, so who knows what next year’s Eurovision in Tel Aviv may bring.