Re'im

Re'im (Hebrew: רֵעִים, lit. 'Friends') is a secular kibbutz in southern Israel, and one of the Gaza vicinity villages. Located at the confluence of Besor Stream and Gerar Stream in the north-western Negev desert, it falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council. In 2024, it had a population of 479. In 2008, Kibbutz Re'im launched a solar power project, becoming the first community in Israel—and possibly the world—fully powered by solar energy for domestic use. The project was estimated to cost ₪60–100 million, with expected returns within 10 years. Profits and costs were to be shared equally between the kibbutz and the Solar company, with surplus electricity sold to the Israel Electric Company. Re'im was founded in 1949 by members of the Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation who were demobilized from the Palmach. The kibbutz was designed by the architect Hanan Havron. The building, which was used by the Havron for decades as his office, is today the kibbutz's heritage building, with a display of the history of the place.