By ADAM ATKINSON

POTSDAM -- The 39th annual Food Festival hosted by Congregation Beth El is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the synagogue at 81 Market St.

“This is the only fundraiser we host throughout the year,” said Samantha Stinson who is handling publicity for the event. “And it’s a great way go stay in touch with the community.”

Beth El-prepared blintzes, potato latkes, falafel, soups with matzoh balls, hummus, bagels and other traditional dishes will be served buffet style on the temple’s lower level where sit-down seating will be set up. “We make everything from scratch, by hand,” Stinson said.

Breads, challah and pastries from a kosher Montreal bakery will be available on the main floor of the temple.

“Montreal is the closest place with a burgeoning Jewish community so they have authentic bakeries there,” said Stinson. Members of the Congregation travel to the city to purchase the bread and bring it back fresh.

This will be the first year the festival is accepting credit card payments. College students from the Four College Hillel with 25 students from the temple school will helping to serve on the buffet line.

“We’ve really worked hard over the last couple years to streamline the process,” said Stinson. The congregation has experimented with tableside service in past years, but Stinson said the buffet style serving line allows diners to see all of the choices that are available.

As in past years, the gift store will be open, selling jewelry, books, decorations, holiday accessories and other Hanukkah items like candles, dreidels and menorahs. Beth El's shop, St. Lawrence County's only Judaica shop, also offers Shabbat and Havdahlah candles, kiddush cups, mezzuzahs, and Jewish themed games and toys.

The festival is free to attend and open to the public.

For more information, log on to www.potsdamsynagogue.org, or call 315-265-7025.