Zikim

This article is about the Israeli kibbutz. For the Israel Defense Forces base nearby, see Bahad 4.

Zikim
Founded by	Romanian immigrants from Hashomer Hatzair
Council	Hof Ashkelon
Region	Northern Negev
Affiliation	Kibbutz Movement
Coordinates	31°36′28.44″N 34°31′18.47″E
Zikim
Website	www.zikim.org.il

Zikim (Hebrew: זִיקִים‎‎) is a kibbutz in the southern Israel. Located in the northern Negev desert, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. In 2006, it had a population of 385.

The kibbutz was established by a group of young Romanian Jews who belonged to Hashomer Hatzair before their arrival in Palestine in 1947. At that time, Jewish settlement in the Negev was very sparse, and each new location was considered to be a "point of light" (zik) in the wilderness. Michael Har-Segor, later an Israeli historian, came up with the name while imprisoned in Romania for his activity in Hashomer Hatzair. He says he translated a quote from Pushkin into Hebrew: "From sparks shall come a flame."

Since its establishment, Zikim has attracted members of Hashomer Hatzair from around the world, most recently from South America. The actor Bob Hoskins worked as a volunteer in Zikim in 1967.

Economy

The main crops are mango and avocado. Zikim also operates one of Israel's largest dairy farms. The main industrial product is polyurethane, produced by the kibbutz factory, Polyrit.

Notable residents

• Peretz Kidron

External links

• Official website (Hebrew)