The Temple Adat Shalom in Poway cooked up its first San Diego Jewish Food Festival on Sunday featuring Jewish cuisine and culture from around the world.

"This is food that your mother would approve of," said Howard Levin, immediate past president of the Temple Adat Shalom.

Featured on the menu were many holiday favorites from Passover, Hanukkah and Purim. Popular dishes from throughout the Middle East and Israel were well-represented. Festival-goers were treated to a large variety of Jewish foods that have evolved and been transformed from many different countries where Jews have established themselves.

In addition to gastronomical delights was an extensive lineup of entertainment. More than 21 acts, which included bands, vocalists, a Jewish barbershop ensemble, instrumentalists, Israeli dancers and comedians, were scheduled to perform during the eight-hour event.

Vendors filled the synagogue's courtyard with displays of art, jewelry, clothing and other ethnic items. Activities such as films and tours were scheduled at different times throughout the day to give festival-goers an entire cultural experience.

Darlene and Joel Legan of Rancho Bernardo said that they came for the matzah ball soup (a traditional Jewish dumpling made from unleavened meal) and hamantaschen (a Jewish pastry filled with either fruits or nuts and recognized by its three-cornered shape).

"I'm very happy to see such a variety of food available," Darlene Legan said. "We need to get a lot of other communities to come together also."

Rabbi David Castiglione of Temple Adat Shalom said that he hopes the event will show that Jews are not only from Eastern Europe alone.

"Over the last 2,000 years, we have spread to every continent and every culture throughout the world," he said. "This is a perfect opportunity to educate, reach out and have a good time."

Castiglione further noted that it's a coincidence that the event coincided with recent demonstrations thoughout San Diego by members of the Westboro Baptish Church in Topeka, Kan. ---- a group that he said spreads a message of hate against gays, Jews and Christians. "The communities within North County all came together," he said. "We affirmed amongst ourselves that we stand united for what is good, right and truthful."

Hannah Cohen, chairwoman of the festival, said that she researched extensively how to stage a top-notched event that would include more than just food. She set out to create an event that would stretch beyond Poway and include all of San Diego County.

"Over the years many people have tried to put on a Jewish food festival within North County," she said. "We had to overcome many obstacles, but with the support of our new Rabbi, we were able to make it happen."

Lisa St George of San Diego and her husband, Salem Shaklawun, of Libya are both Muslims and were invited by a friend who is a member of the synagogue.

"We came to show our support and also to enjoy all of the great food," said St. George as Shaklawun explained that he was very familiar with many of the foods offered because they are so widespread throughout parts of the Middle East.

When the subject of a recent news report concerning whether hummus was a Lebanese or Jewish invention was mentioned, St George said, "I would rather be disputing food than any other subject."

Festival organizers said that they weren't expecting a large turnout for their inaugural event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but that by 1 p.m. the crowds were so large that they thought they would surpass their expectations by a significant margin.

For more information on the Temple Adat Shalom, go to www.adatshalom.com