This morning, I stood on the roof of the Petersen Automotive Museum, overlooking Wilshire Boulevard as one of three faith leaders the city had invited to offer a blessing for the opening of the new Metro D Line. By the time you’re reading this, the trains are already running. People who have lived two miles apart and never spoken may now be sitting in the same car. Strangers becoming neighbors and separate parts of our city are drawn a little closer together.

This week, the Brawerman West community was hit hard by the tragic death of a beloved Second Grade Associate Teacher, Alexandra Weiss. She was 24 years old, and had her whole life ahead of her. Though this was her first year at Brawerman West, she brought an incredible amount of warmth, gentleness, and joy to our halls. She loved children deeply, and her optimism was felt by everyone she touched. In her mere 24 years on this earth, it was clear that Alex lived a life of meaning and purpose.