On a farm in Israel, near the Gaza border and not far from the site of the vicious attacks of October 7, 2023, Yaron Bob is probably — at this very moment — making something beautiful in his workshop.
Bob is a blacksmith, an artist, and the creator behind Rockets Into Roses, a project in which he quite literally takes remnants from weapons of war and shapes them into exquisite works of art. Beyond the artistry, however, is a deep and abiding mission to reclaim beauty from destruction and light from darkness.
The First Rose
Yaron Bob wasn’t always an artist. Eighteen years ago, he was an information technology teacher. Due to the school’s proximity to the Palestinian border, he was no stranger to the dangers of incoming rockets. Bob recognized the siren on that fateful day, but he didn’t have enough time to run. Instead, he shielded three students and sustained injuries from the attack.
Afterward, Bob collected a piece of the rocket that had landed nearby and brought it home. His intention was to destroy it. Instead, he found a new calling.
As he pounded the twisted metal, a transformation began to take shape. When friends came to visit and check on him, he told them he thought the metal from the rocket was starting to look a little like a rose. He decided to see it all the way through, and a new art form was born.
The implications were profound: The ugliness of war could be transformed into a rose. Destruction could inspire hope.
Bob went on to found Rockets Into Roses. He spends his days channeling an artistic vision and talent for blacksmithing and welding into a business and an art that resonates with people around the world who share his desire for peace.
Art From Ashes
Bob creates more than the rose sculptures he began with 18 years ago. A look at his website, www.rocketsintoroses.com, reveals intricate menorahs, jewelry, mezuzahs and candlesticks — all made out of the metal from fallen weapons. Each is handmade by Bob in his workshop. By turning the ugliness of war into symbols of peace, Rockets Into Roses deprives the opposition of its goal to keep people living in fear.
The source material is, sadly, abundant. According to Bob’s website, over 60,000 rockets have exploded in Israel since the second intifada. And according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas and others have launched more than 19,000 unguided rockets at Israel since the October 7 attack.
As Bob began collecting rocket material nearly two decades ago, the IDF and local police have stepped in to help. When reports of rocket material on the ground are called in, officials examine the remains for any explosive residue that could reignite or cause harm. Once the metal has been cleared for safety, it is delivered to Bob’s workshop, where he has a seemingly endless supply.
The uniqueness of Rockets Into Roses has drawn the attention of many notable figures, as evidenced by some of the more high-profile commissions the organization has fulfilled. These include a menorah for the White House and sculptures that were created specifically for global leaders like President Isaac Herzog and U.S. President Joe Biden.
Swords Into Plowshares
Central to Rockets Into Roses is its mission: to take these remnants of war and transform them into symbols of beauty and peace and to turn swords into plowshares.
It’s a message that touches people across the globe, and many of the pieces have soared in popularity. The Rosebud Menorah, for example, was initially designed as a one-of-a-kind sculpture for President Herzog. It was so well received that Herzog gave Bob his blessing to recreate it and add it to the company’s catalog of products. It quickly became a bestseller.
It should come as no surprise that interest in the project has surged over the past year. On Instagram alone, followers jumped from a mere 3,000 to a stunning 35,000 — and orders for Rockets Into Roses have increased commensurately. On a recent visit to the United States, Bob sold out of every product he’d brought with him, including the display items.
Bob’s team shares that people want to be a part of it. They share the vision of turning darkness into light.
Looking Ahead
As for what’s next, Rockets Into Roses is currently trying to keep up with the fulfillment of orders as the organization’s reach expands and interest continues to grow. Of particular pride is a new piece entitled Hope of Israel, featuring the word peace in Hebrew, Arabic and English on a map of Israel.
The Hope of Israel is the very essence of Rockets Into Roses. When asked what message they want people to take away from their work, a spokesperson for the company said simply this: Israel wants peace.
As for Bob, he continues to weld, twist and shape the materials of war into works of art as his stockpile of rocket remnants — unfortunately — grows.
By taking elements of destruction and turning them into symbols of beauty, Bob’s artistry offers a moving tribute to the light in the darkness, our ability to overcome adversity, and our wish for a more peaceful world.
To learn more about Yaron Bob and the Rockets Into Roses project, visit www. rocketsintoroses.com.