From NORTH LONDON to the NORTH GAZA BORDER

My Life on Kibbutz Zikim

De: Rami Billis

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Hello, My name is Rami. Please let me introduce my book to you.

If I told you that the book had four main themes:

1. My life from 1934 through WWII in and around London and from 1957 up to October 7 2023 in Kibbutz Zikim on the Gaza border; 2. The history of kibbutz and changes in the kibbutz I've lived through since my arrival in Zikim in 1957. From equality to privatization; 3. The relationship with our neighbours across the border in the Gaza Strip over the years; 4. My diary written while taking part in the First Lebanon War; you may consider my book too dry and uninteresting. However, you should know that it is interspersed with anecdotes and confessions told here for the first time for you.

I enjoyed writing it and I wouldn't be surprised if you enjoyed reading it. All the best, Rami Billis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ... Rami Billis was born as Derek in London on April 7th 1934. In WWII he was in London and an evacuee in the country. Rami studied Production Engineering after grammar school and left England for Israel in 1957 after his marriage to Miriam, to join Kibbutz Zikim on the Gaza border where he has lived for the last 67 years.


His very varied life in the Kibbutz includes holding office in all the main managerial posts as well as being in charge of a main farm branch and important positions in the kibbutz industries. He also was very active in the social and cultural life of the kibbutz.


Rami's has an extensive family with three children, nine grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren. All of whom live in Israel.
He has lived through the changes in Kibbutz, in Israel society and relations with the Gazans across the border so he is in a unique position to share his experiences.


WHAT READERS HAVE SAID: “A book with an amazing insight into how a kibbutz works, and Rami seems to have immersed himself into a society that seems so far removed from the tensions and greed most of us are used to. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the ups and downs of his personal life, especially with his war activities — a great read” — M. Collins, M.A., O.B.E. • London, England


“Rami's book is full of heart and soul. His descriptions of his journey to Kibbutz Zikim and his experiences in Israel are real and honest. Not only was it informative but Rami's humor and wit made it an easy and fun read. I highly recommend it.”— L. Rubin, Haifa Israel


I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the book, I laughed and cried and was on occasion taken down memory lane.– S. Trotter • South Wales, UK


“I just finished Rami's book. It took me two nights. Although there have been a gazillion books about the state of Israel, the kibbutz experience and its political roots, the events that over decades led to the current situation, I don't believe I have read anything as illuminating and moving as Rami's memoir. It shares the life experiences of a kibbutznik and all around decent human being in a way that touched my heart. He deserves appreciation and respect for the intelligence and passion that went into writing this memoir. It has great value.” —An enthusiastic reader, Maryland, USA