CARBONDALE - If full bellies and validated dreams of full pocketbooks are any indication, the inaugural Antiques Appraisal and Jewish Food Fair at Congregation Beth Jacob on Sunday was a triumph.

Even the congregation's most precocious entrepreneur reached his own barometer of success: Joseph Steinbock, at a commanding 10 and three-quarters years old, had already given out all his business cards by the middle of the four-hour event.

Steinbock, a member of Beth Jacob, spent about seven hours working on origami centerpieces for the tables, which were decorated with blow-up paper balls and Stars of David.

The origami decorations are part of a business Steinbock started for his school, he said, and he was surprised that the business cards had so quickly disappeared.

"People have taken all the business cards," Steinbock said. "I saw people just walking up and taking them."

Steinbock may have been one of the youngest helpers, but he was in impressive company: It seemed the entirety of Beth Jacob's congregation came out to help with the event, which combined Jewish cooking and antique appraisals for a dual afternoon that offered something for everyone.

At least, that was the hope of the organizers, said Marshall Kapp, president of the congregation.

Judging from the turnout, the organizers hit their expectations - and then some.

"We're just overwhelmed with the community support," Kapp said.

Proceeds from the event went to not only Congregation Beth Jacob, but also the Women's Center and Good Samaritan House.

Kapp said both events proved to be very popular through the course of the day.

Jewish food has very few distinct differences from other varieties of food, explained Rose Weisburd, who was one of many parishioners who have spent months preparing for the event and days preparing enough food for the congregation and community members.

The dishes served at Sunday's events did not boast unusual ingredients, Weisburd said, just a different way of assembling those ingredients. A noodle kugel, for instance, is crafted with ingredients found in local grocery stores.

"It's just traditional egg noodles put together in a different way," Weisburd said.

The food was presented to an excellent turnout, said Sheila Bengtson, who was in charge of coordinating the food fair.

"Who doesn't love potato latkes?" said Bengtson.

Antique appraisers volunteered their time to peruse items brought in by community members, each hopeful that they could become a walking testament to the treasures that can lie dormant in the attic.

Linda Harrison of Elkville brought a few items for appraisal with the same three words driving many people to the event: "You never know."

Harrison and friend Jenny Rehwaldt of De Soto sat outside the appraiser's room waiting to head in with their antique kitchen utensils, vase and old postcards.

"Since it's for a good cause, we just want to see if they have any value," Harrison said.

The volunteers were in a jovial mood all day, moving from the appraisal area to the kitchen to see where they could lend their services.

Carol King, who was assigning numbers for the appraisers, joked that she wished she had something to be appraised.

"I don't have anything antique to appraise - but my husband is 87," King said, laughing. "I wonder how much he's worth."

ashley.wiehle@thesouthern.com

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