Finding Her Own Way: Jessica Bachar on Belonging, Building, and Making it Big

Jessica Bachar was 17 when she left Turkey. She didn’t know Hebrew, nor did she have a plan. But something in her needed a change.

She arrived at Kibbutz Na’an, a place she’d only heard about from her mother’s stories. The kindness she met there was unexpected. So was the feeling that followed: I could stay, she thought. And she did.

Later, while serving in the IDF as a lone soldier, a commander recommended Bar-Ilan University. Friends and family spoke highly of it too. It felt like the right next step, and she followed that feeling—just like she had when she boarded the plane.

Turning Opportunity Into Impact

Jessica’s career began during her army service, where she helped build a new unit supporting immigrants from around the world. She coordinated with embassies, led operations, and even designed the unit’s logo—an experience that earned her an official commendation and sparked her first taste of leadership.

From there, things moved quickly. While still studying at Bar-Ilan, she began managing projects for global brands. She went on to lead product operations at a tech company, consult executives at top firms like Amazon, and carve out a niche in brand strategy and storytelling.

Today, she works as a freelance Creative Lead and Product Specialist, providing strategic clarity and creative direction to over 50 projects every month.

Making Space for Purpose

At Bar-Ilan, Jessica studied political science and communication, fields that shaped the way she sees both people and systems.

“Political science taught me how decisions are made. Communication taught me how to share those ideas clearly, in ways people can actually connect with.”

One course changed everything. Led by Dr. Shay Attias, it challenged students to create NGOs in response to real-world needs. At the time, a major earthquake had just struck Turkey. Jessica’s family was safe, but the emotional impact was heavy.

Together with a fellow student from Turkey, she created GraceAID, an app for disaster relief. She designed the branding herself and worked around the clock to make the concept real.

“That was the first time I felt like an entrepreneur. I didn’t know what would come next, but I knew I was ready to build.”

What It Took to Stay the Course

During her degree, Jessica held a full-time job, volunteered over 120 hours, and never once asked for an extension. She listened to TED Talks in the early mornings, splashed water on her face to stay awake, and showed up to every class prepared to go beyond expectations.

“If the assignment was to design a campaign, I’d build the product too. I wasn’t doing it for grades. I loved every bit of it.”

Her professors noticed. They gave her the freedom to create, and the support to keep going.

Why Israel Was Different

In Istanbul, building a professional network felt slow and distant. In Israel, it felt possible.

“Here, the distance between people is shorter—in every sense. You can meet someone who knows someone, and you’re suddenly in a room you never imagined being in.”

For Jessica, this accessibility mattered. It wasn’t just about contacts—it was about confidence. In Israel, she learned that results mattered more than titles. That being young didn’t disqualify her from leading. That effort counted.

Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year

Jessica was named Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year by the Gold Moon Awards, a prestigious organization in Turkey that honors outstanding individuals and brands in the business world. The committee discovered her story independently and reached out to recognize her achievements. “It was such a meaningful moment,” she says. “Even though I couldn’t attend the ceremony in person because of the war, receiving this award still meant the world to me.”

Advice for Those on the Edge of a Big Decision

“It’s okay to be scared,” she says. “Everyone says ‘don’t be afraid,’ but I think fear is part of it. If something feels right, even if it’s scary, move toward it anyway.”

She shares the advice that stuck with her: “The perfect time will never come. Start now and perfect it along the way.”

“Especially as women, we often wait until everything is in place before taking a risk. But life doesn’t work that way. You can plan forever and still miss the moment.”

The Power of Small Whispers

When asked what she would say to a 17-year-old girl unsure where to begin, Jessica lets her heart do the talking.

“Start by asking yourself what you love. Not what looks good on paper, not what’s profitable—but the thing you’d do for free, the thing that makes you lose track of time. That’s where your strength usually lives. Most people overlook it, because it feels too basic to be valuable.”

She compares it to watching athletes do what they love. “I feel like those football players who get to run after a ball and call it work. I wake up every day and I love what I do. That joy is everything.”

Jessica is now beginning her master’s in Human-Computer Interaction at Reichman University, where she received the prestigious Merit Scholarship for her exceptional achievements. "When I received the news I couldn’t believe it. Being here on my own, and still managing to reach this point... it made me feel really proud, grateful, and reminded me how far I’ve come and how much is still possible," she says.

Looking Ahead

“I want to be the person people come to when they need clarity. When they have an idea but don’t know how to shape it.”

She’s not rushing or trying to prove anything. She’s walking her path, full-hearted, committed, and steady.

And she hasn’t forgotten where it all started.

“Bar-Ilan helped me find my voice. I carry that with me wherever I go.”