Although Rosh HaShannah has long passed, the Shofar still sounds in the memory of one of the Chabadonline staff. Chabadonline wishes to make a tribute to a supporter, Santiago Rodriguez, who transcended this earthly realm on November 2, 2000.

It was with wonder at Divine Providence that I first met Santiago in September of this year. I was on the way to meet an unexpected guest waiting for me in the lobby, when  I caught sight of Stafford Mays. Although I've worked at several technology companies as a web developer, few have been able to be as supportive of diversity as Microsoft. Over several years I have worked with Stafford on various Microsoft/Jewish diversity projects. There was a new project for ChabadOnline that I had just begun and wanted to involve Stafford. Here was an unexpected opportunity to present my ideas and elicit some feedback from him.

I quickly waved to Stafford to catch his attention before he disappeared into a conference room. Stafford return my friendly salutation and waited for me to approach him. I excitedly gave Stafford an overview of the new project in which I wanted to enlist his aid as a Microsoft Diversity representative. Stafford listened to my proposal and said "Avrahom, there is someone who I want you to meet". I was then introduced to Santiago Rodriquez, Microsoft's Diversity Director.

I couldn't believe my good fortune! I again enthusiastically reviewed the project for ChabadOnline to Santiago. He listened with warm interest and ask if I could follow up with him the details as he was about to attend a meeting. He noticed my yarmulke and tzitzit. He gave a courteous smile and mentioned that he, too, was Jewish. I shook hands with the both of them and gave my I assurance that I would follow up with them.

Through a series of emails, Santiago and I agreed to meet at his office to review the details of the proposed project. We arranged to get together on Friday, September 22, 2000. Santiago was very interested in my personal and professional background. When I mentioned that I was not raised as a Chabad chassid but rather returned to Judaism as an adult, his curiosity was piqued and he began inquiring more into my upbringing and journey to Judaism. After sharing many personal stories with Santiago, he began to reveal to me his upbringing. He reminisced many stories of his grandmother and mother who were Holocaust survivors. He spoke of them with great respect and awe. It was very evident that he was continually nurtured by their strength and wisdom.

I sat there enraptured by his European background, culture and his vast knowledge of Jewish history. Time began to fly by and after forty minutes, we returned to the purpose of the meeting: ChabadOnline. I explained to him the vast scope and uniqueness of ChabadOnline utilizing Microsoft technology to represent the Jewish community via the web. I then began to demonstrate several of the amazing ChabadOnline websites. Santiago's favorite was the lively, multifaceted Purim site http://www.chabadonline.com/Purim/ ; as he said with satisfaction "I love bright colors!". Next, I began to reveal the vision of the new ChabadOnline website and the role of Microsoft technologies. Santiago was very impressed and enthusiastic about the project. We made plans for the next step and the course of action necessary.

As our meeting came to a close, I asked Santiago if he would like to hear the blowing of the shofar as a preparation to the rapidly approaching holy day of Rosh HaShannah. He agreed and I took out my shofar from my saddlebag. I closed my eyes, brought the shofar to my lips and a rich heritage of over 3,300 years journeyed forth. Each of the three cries from the Shofar washed through that moment of time and space.

Although I'd blown the shofar many times before, there was a particular, transcendent quality that suffused the room that day. When I opened my eyes, I could see that Santiago was visibly stirred and touched to his core. The hour had been spent interweaving personal and professional interests. At that moment I felt a new friendship had blossomed between us.

Santiago walked with me to the lobby to greet my wife, who had just arrived to take me home and finish the preparations for Shabbat. He and I spoke of the challenge conflicting schedules but a keen desire to meet again, not only at Microsoft but at my home over a Shabbat dinner. He was very touched by the Shabbat invitation from my wife and I. Santiago said he would enjoy that very much and would look forward to it. We shook hands and wished each other well. In the days that followed, we corresponded via email before his extensive travels abroad. We arranged that we would set a time to meet upon his return from Germany.

It feels me with great sadness that I will not have the privilege of enjoying Santiago's company again. Santiago fell ill during his journey and contracted pneumonia while in Germany. He returned to the States and checked into a hospital in Virginia near where his father lived. Although his condition initially stabilized, on Thursday evening, November 2, 2000, his body weakened. Santiago suffered congestive heart failure from which he did not recover. I believe his soul returned to it's Creator whom I felt he glimpsed during the call of the Shofar.

As a representative of ChabadOnline, I would like to convey the organization's condolences to Santiago's family and friends. In the short time that we met, it was obvious why he represented Microsoft Diversity around the globe. Santiago presented himself as a man of education, culture, and love for humanity. Chabadonline would like to express it's appreciation for Santiago's support and assistance to the organization. Lastly, I would like to share my awe at the flame of the Jewish soul which was felt during the call of the Shofar.