Paul Mirbach

Born in Bulawayo when it was still called Rhodesia, Paul joined Habonim at the age of 8. In 1976 at the age of 16, Paul left Rhodesia so as not to have to register for the army. Paul was already politically aware by then and refused to fight in a war aimed at depriving native people of their rights, based on the color of their skin, while having to fight alongside "comrades" in an army rife with antisemitism. Paul moved to Cape Town, where he boarded in Herzlia School hostel, and later in UCT dorms, while he finished his studies and his degree. During this time, Paul was very active in Habonim, doing Hadracha, and being editor for the Movement's weekly newsletter (Ma Nishma), sitting on the Mazkirut and working as Merakez Tochniot Chinuch. Paul made Aliyah in 1982 with Garin HaOz to Kibbutz Tuval, which he helped build from nothing but rocks and mud. In 1984, Paul volunteered and served in the Nahal, during which he fought in the First Lebanon War. In Miluim he served first in infantry, and later as a liaison officer for foreign forces in the region. He married Fay Simons in 1991. They have two grown sons and still live on Tuval.