Andria Aylyarov is the blogger behind That Jewish Wife. She attended OneTable’s [Matzah] Ball [Soup] is Life Nosh:pitality event in NYC last week and took to Instagram to share what Jewish food means to her.

Do you get down spiritually more through food than anything else? How do you connect with you connect with your religion? What’s your favorite dish?

For the last few months, I’ve connected more spiritually with Jewish foods then I have at a synagogue or holiday service such as Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah.

Jewish food is becoming my religion, it’s my way of connecting to our heritage, people, and overall culture. At times I think the act of cooking is bringing me closer to G-d. Since we’ve moved to New York City, I’ve yet to find a “community” or shul my husband and I vibe with, let alone feel like ‘this could be our place.’ Instead of continuing to shul hop as I call it – I began event hopping – specifically any event around Jews and food. Because honestly, there’s nothing better than Jews and some schmaltzy food, right?

I’ve taken advantage of various Jewish cooking classes, @moishehouse Without Walls Shabbat dinners and opportunities with @onetableshabbat. I truly feel at events like the ones I just named, closer to my religion. I can be standing in a room full of strangers, watching Instagram stars like Shannon Sarna of @jewishfood braiding challah or in a group of Millennials rolling matzah balls with Chef Jonathon Posner of @wanderingfoods and feel more connected to Judaism than ever.