Rabbi Michael Balinsky, executive vice president of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, offered the following benediction at Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s breakfast honoring new Archbishop Blase Cupich on Nov. 20.

I am Rabbi Michael Balinsky, President of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.

Thirty years ago, His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago, joined with leaders of the Episcopal, Greek Orthodox and Protestant Churches, along with The Chicago Board of Rabbis, to create the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. Over a quarter of a century later, the Council gathers an even greater diversity of religious leaders, enriched by the participation of the participation of other Christian communions as well as Muslim, Baha’i, Jain, Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian leaders and their traditions. Through the Council, the churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other religious assemblies share a unifying vision and are able to speak with a unified voice on issues affecting the common good of the people of Chicago land area. On behalf of the Council I want to thank Cardinal George for his many years of participation and welcome our newest member Archbishop Cupich.

A fifth century rabbinic text comments on Isaiah 43:12: I have declared, and have saved, and I have proclaimed, and there was no strange god among you; therefore you are my witnesses, said the Lord, that I am God. Now the contextual meaning of the verse is that because of their belief and loyalty, Israel serves as witnesses to God. However the rabbinic text comments in a different way, perhaps a very radical way, when you are my witnesses, I am God, but when you are not my witnesses, it is as if I am not God. Without witnesses, without us, it is as if there is no God.

What I take from this text is a challenge; we must act as witnesses for God to be God. And by witnessing, I do not mean proselytizing, but rather working on behalf of those who suffer, standing against violence, participating in activities that serve the common good, taking a public stand when needed, and working together as children of God to repair our fractured world. We come to this out of different beliefs, but we stand together in witnessing our belief that God propels us and commands to make our city a place of dignity for all. May God bless all of us gathered here today as we welcome Archbishop Cupich and wish him well with his holy work on behalf of the Catholic community and all the residents of our great city. Shalom and Peace to all.