On the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel, people in Brooklyn and around the world are reflecting on the challenges that the past year has brought.
Amid mourning, a business in the tri-state area is bringing hope in a way you would least expect it.
Rockets into Roses was founded 18 years ago by Yaron Bob after he was struck by a rocket in his homeland of Israel. From that rocket, he decided to create beauty – a rose. He has since created art that can be found worldwide from dismantled pieces of Hamas and Hezbollah rockets.
William Peralta is Bob's former fraternity brother and now business partner. He says collecting the rockets is a dangerous job. Rockets into Roses has gained such popularity around the region that the Israeli Defense Forces now donates debris to the duo.
"The rockets – the purpose behind them is to not only kill people but to instill fear. When we take that metal and make necklaces out of it, we transform that fear into hope," says Peralta.
The history of rockets being launched into Israel has spanned generations but now – so will the impact of this art. The art was available Sunday at a pop-up shop in Holocaust Memorial Park in Sheepshead Bay.