British entrepreneur stresses interfaith inclusivity at Covid memorial concert

A British entrepreneur has underlined the importance of interfaith inclusivity, at a memorial event for victims of COVID-19 held at St Pauls’ Cathedral last week.

The ‘Never to Forget’ concert featured a unique performance by the London Symphony Chorus and City of London Sinfonia of an original composition by Howard Goodall CBE in memory of all who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It highlighted the cathedral’s Remember Me project, an online book of remembrance launched in May 2020 which allows family and friends of people who died from Covid to honour their memory, regardless of their faith.

Speaking at the 23 March event, Travelex founder Sir Lloyd Dorfman said he was proud of the Dorfman Foundation’s sponsorship of the project.

“My involvement is a very real “testament” to the interfaith inclusivity which is at the heart of Remember Me,” he said.

“We know that COVID affects people of all faiths and none and that it does not discriminate according to the God people worship.”

Dorfman also said he felt pride at his appearance at the cathedral.

He said: “As a British Jew, I feel especially proud to be standing here today talking to you about it from the pulpit of St Paul’s Cathedral.”

Over 10,000 people have been memorialised in the Remember Me online book, and the cathedral said it will remain open “for as long as it is needed”.

As a result of the pandemic, the cathedral suffered a dramatic loss of income. Dorfman underlined his commitment to help, saying it was an “incredibly important thing to do.”

Work has also begun on a physical memorial space at St Paul’s Cathedral, due to open to the public later this year.

In a final word, Dorfman offered his sympathies to the bereaved families in attendance, extending “the traditional Jewish condolence message which is – to wish you long life.”