Wollins has decided to put his job on hold, leave his Gush Etzion apartment and join the Jews of Gaza in their struggle.
Click to hear the Israel National Radio interview
"I didn't come to Israel to sit in a tent for months and fight the police - who wants to do such a thing," Wollins, an investment banker on Wall Street for 20 years, told Israel National Radio's Eli Stutz. But that is exactly what he is planning to do.
"It was a very difficult decision," Wollins said, "but it was such a freeing decision as well. I decided that if I am sitting in my house and watching on Arutz-7 when G-d forbid this thing happens - how could I live with myself afterwards."
Wollins plans on accompanying the Arutz-7 trip to Gush Katif on Wednesday of the intermediary days of Passover and stay there, moving to the town of N'vei Dekalim.
He doesn't expect everybody to pick up and follow his lead, but encourages everybody to find something that they can do to stand with the Jews facing expulsion. Wollins even has a message for those in favor of the withdrawal from Gaza and the northern Shomron: "Visit these places," he said. "If you have never been to Gush Katif, then you are in no position to have an opinion on this matter because you don't know what you are talking about. Once you have walked on these streets and seen these people - maybe you will still say, 'yeah, let's give it away,' but maybe you will find you can't. You must come and see it before you decide."
Wollins believes that every Jew loves all of the Land of Israel, but just needs the proper setting in which that love can be brought forth. "Hassidut talks a lot about things being hidden," he said. "Until you go to Gush Katif, your little Jewish love for Gush Katif is hidden. But the second you go and meet the people there, it comes out and you say, 'Wow, I learn from these people'."
"You read the bible," Wollins said, "but it is not you. It is stories of people fighting for the nation of Israel. All of the sudden now it is me, an investment banker, doing something for the Jewish people. The thing I fear most is facing my Creator and being asked, why were you not standing with those Jews when they faced expulsion."
Wollins is not just moving down to Gush Katif for the Summer. He hopes to build his life there, maybe find a wife, and if the worst should happen - rebuild together with the Jews there. He hopes his move will inspire others "who are on the verge of taking such a step, but need someone to walk them through it." He said people should feel free to call him and even gave out his numbers on the radio interview.
To sign up for Arutz-7's one-day solidarity tour of Gush Katif, send an email to: katif@IsraelNN.com
Click to hear the Israel National Radio interview
"I didn't come to Israel to sit in a tent for months and fight the police - who wants to do such a thing," Wollins, an investment banker on Wall Street for 20 years, told Israel National Radio's Eli Stutz. But that is exactly what he is planning to do.
"It was a very difficult decision," Wollins said, "but it was such a freeing decision as well. I decided that if I am sitting in my house and watching on Arutz-7 when G-d forbid this thing happens - how could I live with myself afterwards."
Wollins plans on accompanying the Arutz-7 trip to Gush Katif on Wednesday of the intermediary days of Passover and stay there, moving to the town of N'vei Dekalim.
He doesn't expect everybody to pick up and follow his lead, but encourages everybody to find something that they can do to stand with the Jews facing expulsion. Wollins even has a message for those in favor of the withdrawal from Gaza and the northern Shomron: "Visit these places," he said. "If you have never been to Gush Katif, then you are in no position to have an opinion on this matter because you don't know what you are talking about. Once you have walked on these streets and seen these people - maybe you will still say, 'yeah, let's give it away,' but maybe you will find you can't. You must come and see it before you decide."
Wollins believes that every Jew loves all of the Land of Israel, but just needs the proper setting in which that love can be brought forth. "Hassidut talks a lot about things being hidden," he said. "Until you go to Gush Katif, your little Jewish love for Gush Katif is hidden. But the second you go and meet the people there, it comes out and you say, 'Wow, I learn from these people'."
"You read the bible," Wollins said, "but it is not you. It is stories of people fighting for the nation of Israel. All of the sudden now it is me, an investment banker, doing something for the Jewish people. The thing I fear most is facing my Creator and being asked, why were you not standing with those Jews when they faced expulsion."
Wollins is not just moving down to Gush Katif for the Summer. He hopes to build his life there, maybe find a wife, and if the worst should happen - rebuild together with the Jews there. He hopes his move will inspire others "who are on the verge of taking such a step, but need someone to walk them through it." He said people should feel free to call him and even gave out his numbers on the radio interview.
To sign up for Arutz-7's one-day solidarity tour of Gush Katif, send an email to: katif@IsraelNN.com