For nearly 20 years, Yaron Bob, who himself narrowly escaped death when a rocket struck his home in Yated, southern Israel, has been working with missile fragments to create objects and jewelry. Magen David, rose-shaped pendants, "Bring them home" plaques for hostages, Israel map necklaces, mezuzahs, menorahs, collectible coins… The list is long. Yaron creates endlessly and also personalizes his orders. His diverse clientele spans borders, and Yaron has participated in two major projects in the United States. Through his business, "Rockets into Roses," Yaron has touched thousands of people and is determined not to stop. His art symbolizes hope for a peaceful future. His works reflect his unique style. "I take the Kassam, the instrument of death, and turn it into something beautiful," Yaron says.
With only a hammer, an anvil, and a furnace, Yaron melts, molds, and sculpts the metal from rockets to create artwork, jewelry, and original Jewish objects. Yaron Bob, a teacher and metal sculptor, notably crafts roses, his signature design, from rockets fired from Gaza into Israel.
Creating to Overcome
Yaron's project was born out of a personal trauma that he wanted to fight through creation, "giving comfort to a stunned population." Yaron recovers used rockets, most of which are handed over by the police after being checked by the bomb disposal team. It takes him about three to four hours to make a simple object and up to two weeks for more elaborate orders.
"Originally, I worked in IT. I have lived in Yated since 2000, and 18 years ago, a rocket fell just 20 meters from me. I suffered from all the effects of post-trauma, I was completely shocked, trembling non-stop, and my heart was racing; but this experience allowed me to fulfill this beautiful mission, and it’s priceless. When the rocket struck my house, I was completely stunned. I went down to the garage to clean, and I saw a rocket fragment on my table. We looked at each other, and then I told myself I had to keep smiling and no longer fear it. That's how I transformed my trauma into something beautiful that serves people. I started with roses, then expanded my possibilities," Yaron explains to Itonnews.
Yaron says he has never stopped creating since. With growing success that even reached the mayor of Sderot and local authorities, Yaron made a name for himself through his website, and his orders grew significantly. Then came October 7th. Yaron lost 40 of his friends and lost faith in his project... until he was caught by a reality he couldn’t escape. "I was devastated, I wanted to stop everything, I couldn't see any more rockets, but my friends convinced me to continue, and I regained my confidence," he says.
The short-and long-stemmed rose flowers closely resemble the actual metal of the rockets. While they are molded, twisted, and beautifully formed, they are thicker and somewhat "rougher" than some other styles.
"People order mezuzahs, hanukkiyot, and necklaces in large numbers because they want special things they can't find anywhere else," says Yaron.
Large-Scale Projects
Yaron is immensely proud to have created two highly symbolic hanukkiyot. In December 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama received a hanukkiah for Hanukkah celebrations at the White House, made from the remains of rockets recovered during Operation "Tzuk Eitan" in August 2014.
"I also made a large 4-meter-high hanukkiah for a yeshiva in New York. Every piece I make is a part of my soul. I love touching people and bringing them happiness; it’s so meaningful to me. It helps me heal, and I feel like I’m spreading joy to the community through my gift. Just yesterday, a priest bought a mezuzah from me. He said, 'What you do is so important; I’m putting it at the entrance of the church and explaining to the congregation what it is.' I was both shocked and happy," Yaron says.
Yaron is currently working on a project called "Sounds of Resilience" for the resilience center in Ashkelon, which helps children suffering from anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
"We are losing the war of information and hasbara in front of the world; it’s very difficult. As Jews, we all have a mission to represent our people, and for me, it’s through art. But everyone must find their own way to help the people of Israel, especially in the face of rising anti-Semitism. We must fight harder than ever on all fronts," Yaron concluded.
Website : https://rocketsintoroses.com/
Caroline Haïat
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