The Bronx Jewish Center at Pelham Park hosted a memorial service for David Edelstein, a beloved member of the Jewish community who died in October.

The service was followed by breaking ground of a Jewish ritual site.

Edelstein is described as a man who wore many hats and one who would always put others' needs over his own.

As the executive director of the Pelham Parkway Jewish Community Council, he was remebered as a man who paid off members' cell phone and cable bills when they couldn't do so themsleves.

"Today we're going to be groundbreaking a mikvah," said Rabbi Saadia Pewzner.

After the memorial service, the Bronx Jewish Center at Pelham Park broke ground for the construction of a cherished Jewish ritual site.

"A mikvah is a ritual bath which is a foundation of the Jewish community, and nothing more appropriate to do it in honor of Mr. David Edelstein," Pewzner said.

It's been ritual that community members have wanted to be able to do at their own temple for years. And now, it will all be built Edelstein's name.

"He was very much instrumental and involved in the last mikvah which was current. Unfortunately, we do not have a mikvah which is actually operational, so time is of the essence and we're determined to make sure that this mikvah is built," Pewzner added.

The project costs around $365,000 and Pewzner hopes it will be open for use by the end of the spring 2023.