Welcome to Yiska

I love water.

Salt water. Fresh water. Ice water. Oceans, lakes, rivers, rain, snow... all of it.

Growing up in California, my earliest memories include swimming fully clothed in the ocean during our family's spontaneous beach stops, and spending hours in the pool pretending to be a mermaid. When my family later moved to Michigan, that love of water expanded to lakes, rivers, snow, and skiing. Swim team and ski team naturally became my sports of choice in high school.

As I grew older and deepened my connection to my Jewish heritage, I chose a more modest approach to clothing. But I struggled to find swimwear that could truly support an active lifestyle — pieces that felt secure while swimming laps, water skiing, or white water rafting.

In addition to modesty, sun protection also became a priority.  My years working as an Emergency Department physician shaped how I think about preventative healthcare, and I believe sun protection should not be an afterthought. I wanted clothing that combined technical performance with greater coverage and comfort.

After stepping away from the hospital to focus on my family and spend more time adventuring with my husband and four children, I realized how few options existed for women looking for modest, performance-driven swimwear. So I decided to try to create it myself.

When choosing a name for the brand, "Yiska" felt especially meaningful to me. My parents had originally planned to name me Sarah after my great-grandmother, but shortly before I was born they “randomly” chose the name Jessica instead. Years later, I learned that Jessica is the English form of Yiska — another name used for Sarah in traditional Jewish texts.

Fittingly, Yiska comes from a Hebrew root meaning “to see,” referring not only to physical sight, but to deeper vision, clarity, awareness, and what is often described in traditional sources as ruach hakodesh. In essence, my parents had unknowingly named me after Sarah after all, using a name deeply connected to inner vision and insight.

That idea became the foundation of this brand. At Yiska, modesty is not about hiding, but about honoring dignity, character, and inner strength so that true beauty comes from within. 

Yiska is a purpose-driven activewear brand built on these values, combining thoughtful design with sun protection to care for both body and soul.

Happy Swimming,

Jessica