Hatzalah Member’s Heroic Actions During a Robbery Gone Wrong

Hatzalah has been active in Los Angeles, CA for about 22 years. Hatzalah member Menachem Boganim is just 23 years old, but is already making history.

Menachem, who currently lives in Tarzana, received the prestigious Medal of Valor from The State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) on May 23rd for his heroism and courage under extreme circumstances. This recognition is the first in Hatzolah of LA’s history, and Menachem is the youngest of four recipients this year, and the youngest ever to receive such an award at just 23 years old.

The incident that led to Menachem receiving this honor started when Hatzolah received a call for an unresponsive patient at a shul in the Tarzana area.

Menachem after moving to Tarzana last year helped found the Tarzana and Encino division. A community that has been growing rapidly.

Around 1pm on a Shabbos, Hatzalah received a call about a non-responsive patient. According to Menachem, “My friend, who is also part of Hatzalah, arrived first and informed me that we couldn’t gain entry from the front, so we should go around the back alley.”

When they got there, they spotted a group of teenagers gathered in the alley between the entrance of two shuls. “We rolled down the window and asked them to leave due to the call we were responding to. When I went to get the equipment, that’s when we heard the gunshots.”

What Menachem didn’t realize was that he had walked into an ongoing robbery, and the suspects had started shooting. “There were kids playing outside of the shul, and the first thing we did was grab everyone and rush them inside to be secured. Thankfully, the patient we came for in the first place was okay, and we made sure everyone was secure.”

“We just showed up at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Menachem says. “But in truth, by being there, we hopefully stopped anything further from happening, as the suspects fled.”

Menachem’s bravery and quick thinking saved many lives that day and is a shining example of the dedication and selflessness displayed by the members of Hatzalah.

The Medal of Valor recognizes an individual for a meritorious act or service within EMS, and in Menachem’s case, it acknowledges his act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. Menachem is an aspiring nurse practitioner who spends many hours caring for his community through volunteering as an Emergency Technician for Hatzalah of Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services.

This recognition is a true kiddush Hashem and highlights the bravery and selflessness that are part of the Hatzalah ethos. The entire community has been talking about this and showing deep pride for Menachem and grateful for his unwavering commitment to caring for others.

If you would like to support Hatzala in their honor, please learn more about them here:

https://instagram.com/hatzolahla