By Y.M. Lowy

Following the tragic petirah of 8-year-old Charlotte Herzberg a”h, who was struck and killed while riding her bicycle last month, her family made a decision that touched the community in an extraordinary way.

At the levayah, Charlotte’s father, Yudi Herzberg, spoke not about blame or anger, but about shalom. Although the accident involved one of his closest friends - a respected member of the community and longtime Hatzalah volunteer - he urged those gathered to reject division and instead strengthen achdus and peace between one another.

His message has since spread around the world.

The initiative, Shalom for Charlotte, is encouraging people to repair broken relationships in Charlotte’s memory. Participants are asked to make a phone call, send a message, offer an apology, or take a step toward reconciliation with someone from whom they’ve become distant.

Just over a month after Charlotte’s petirah, the response has been overwhelming.

According to the organizers, 2,441 Acts of Shalom have already been recorded by participants from more than 42 countries over the entire world! Families have shared stories of siblings reconnecting after years of silence, friends rebuilding relationships, and old disagreements finally coming to an end.

Taking the initiative even further and continuing its momentum, an event highlighting Charlotte's legacy and spreading the message of unity and shalom is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Valley Terrace, 121 College Road in Suffern.

The evening will feature divrei chizuk from Rav Binyamin Eisenberger, Rav Heshy Kahan of Khal Zichron Chanina Getzel in Pomona East, and remarks from Charlotte's father, Yudi Herzberg. The event is open to both men and women, and admission is free.

Those who wish to participate in this movement, can visit ShalomForCharlotte.com to take the Shalom Pledge, record an Act of Shalom, and leave a message for the Herzberg family.

In a community that continues to feel Charlotte’s loss, organizers hope that every act of forgiveness, every repaired friendship, and every step toward peace will serve as a lasting zechus for Charlotte Herzberg, Shaindel bas Chaim Yehuda Leib a”h.