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Kibbutz Nirim’s location on the frontlines, just a stone’s throw from Gaza, has made it a target for missile attacks and infiltrations.
By Atara Beck, JNS
Kibbutz Nirim, a small community located just two kilometers from the Gaza Strip, became the site of one of the most brutal Hamas attacks in Israel’s history on Oct. 7, 2023.
Longtime resident Adele Raemer has since become a voice for her community, leading efforts to rebuild and restore hope in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.
Nirim, founded in 1946 by members of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement, was established as part of the effort to create a Jewish presence in the Negev Desert.
Over the years, Nirim has become a key agricultural hub, particularly known for its dairy production.
The kibbutz’s location on the frontlines, just a stone’s throw from Gaza, has made it a target for missile attacks and infiltrations.
However, its strategic importance and its residents’ resilience have made it a symbol of defiance against ongoing violence.
Raemer, known as “Zioness on the Border” on social media, has spent years documenting life on the Gaza frontier.
Her Facebook page, “Life on the Border with the Gaza Strip: Things People May Not Know (But Should),” has more than 14,000 followers, many of whom have learned firsthand from Raemer about the constant threats faced by southern Israel’s residents.
Her activism, initially aimed at shedding light on daily challenges, took on new urgency following the attack on Oct. 7, which turned her focus to survival, rebuilding and healing.
Adele Raemer at her home in Kibbutz Nirim. Credit: Courtesy.
‘95% heaven on Earth, 100% hell‘
Raemer tearfully recounted her 11-hour ordeal on Oct. 7 while addressing about 130 visitors who made a stopover at the kibbutz on their way to an annual United with Israel (UWI) Chanukah party.
“Until Oct. 7, Nirim was 95% heaven on earth,” she said. “That day, it turned into 100% hell.”
Despite the destruction—homes, vehicles and fields were burned—the residents of Nirim are determined to rebuild.
“Like the pioneers who established the kibbutz in 1946, we, too, are pioneers,” Raemer said. “Am Yisrael Chai [‘The People of Israel Lives’]—whether they like it or not.”
The road to recovery began immediately after the attack. Raemer explained that rebuilding efforts were underway, with extensive renovations already being made.
“The entire children’s area is being dug up,” she told JNS.
“We’re planning at least 30 new houses to replace the area that was entirely burned down. The kibbutz is bustling with people during the day—workers from outside and our own people—who are doing renovations. We’re full steam ahead. As I said, we’re making it bigger and better, safer and stronger than ever before,” she continued.
Raemer emphasized the challenges of fundraising in the aftermath.
“We started fundraising relatively late because we’ve never had to do it before. But we got our act together. In September, we went coast-to-coast in the U.S. for 27 days, telling our story to different communities,” she said.
“The Jewish National Fund has been amazing. They took me around when I was in the States,” she said. “So have others, including Jewish communities worldwide and the Christian evangelical community. They’ve been incredibly supportive, and I’m so grateful.”
The emotional toll of rebuilding lives
Nirim, with its 450 residents and just under 200 households, faced immense challenges after Oct. 7.
For the first three months, most residents stayed in hotels in Eilat, but as Raemer explained, it was difficult for families with children to live in hotel rooms.
Many residents now live in apartments in Beersheva but plan to return to Nirim when it’s safe to do so.
Raemer shared her thoughts on how the children are coping with the trauma and whether they would return.
“This is just Adele speaking, not as the official spokesperson, but from what I’ve seen, it’s the children in many families who are pushing to return home. … Each family must decide for themselves what is safe and what criteria they need. Even after returning, families will have to decide whether they can stay.”
Natural beauty outside a destroyed home in Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel. Credit: Courtesy.
Healing the community: Resilience in action
Raemer described the community’s determination to continue its work, even in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
“Within 24 hours, on Oct. 8, while there were still terrorists in the kibbutz, our dairy farmers were up and milking. We were the first kibbutz to resume milking the cows among those invaded. That says a lot about the tenacity of the people who live on Kibbutz Nirim.”
After the truce in November 2023, residents returned to continue their work. “After the ceasefire, they came back to mow the lawns and garden,” Raemer said. “And it’s beautiful. Despite the explosions and rockets, they were back, healing our kibbutz.”
Raemer spoke about how quickly the community adapted to the challenges.
“The educational team from Nirim set up activities for the children as soon as we arrived in Eilat. We were faster than most other communities to leave the hotel and find a good solution. We found apartments in Beersheva, which is close to Nirim. This allowed workers to commute every day, and some people even began staying overnight on the kibbutz again.”
The next generation
Kibbutz spokesperson Michal Rahav explained to JNS the importance of helping the next generation heal. “We’re raising funds for two projects: an extension of the kindergarten for a therapy room and a new youth center. The previous youth center was invaded by terrorists, and we want to relocate and expand it.”
Rahav added that it’s difficult to predict how many families will return to Nirim. “It changes from day to day. It’s very individual, and each family has its own story. While I believe most will return, it’s hard to say for sure. We’re working hard to keep our community united.”
Celebrating the Shavuot harvest festival at Kibbutz Nirim in 2023, four months before the Oct. 7 massacre. Credit: Courtesy.
Strategic importance
Raemer also emphasized the kibbutz’s strategic importance. She recalled that, after the Oct. 7 attack, Tel Aviv was without tomatoes for two weeks because the farmers were called up for IDF reserve duty.
Nirim, a significant food producer and one of Israel’s largest dairy suppliers, faced a milk shortage due to the invasion.
Raemer closed with a statement that she often shares: “If you give up on Nirim, then you give up on Israel.”
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