Volunteer Paramedic Saves Man’s Life During Synagogue Prayer in Kiryat Malakhi

Roni Nakash collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during prayer at a Chabad synagogue in the Nahalat Har Chabad neighborhood of Kiryat Malakhi about six weeks ago. Alandiv Tam, a volunteer paramedic with United Hatzalah who was praying there, immediately recognized the emergency and sprang into action. Tam began performing CPR and used a defibrillator on Nakash while calling for additional emergency responders. After several minutes, Nakash’s heartbeat was restored and he was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

The dramatic rescue was captured on video and shared by United Hatzalah. The story culminated last week at the wedding of Tam’s son, where Nakash appeared healthy and personally thanked Tam for saving his life. The emotional reunion moved everyone present and symbolized a powerful moment of gratitude and closure.

This incident highlights the critical role of trained volunteers in emergency medical situations and the life-saving impact of immediate defibrillation and CPR. Nakash’s survival and recovery were made possible by Tam’s swift response and the support of additional volunteers who arrived shortly after.

United Hatzalah continues to emphasize the importance of community readiness and volunteer involvement in saving lives during sudden cardiac events.