For most of us, the beginning of another calendar year is a natural moment of restart. Whether we make resolutions or shun them, the New Year marks the passage of time and can present itself as a clean slate for the unknown and the possible. On Rosh Hashanah, literally the “head” of the Jewish year, it is hard to avoid the spirit of a new beginning.

From mundane to profound, we have many opportunities to hit reset, some anticipated and some unexpected. The end of school, the start of a season, the break of dawn, the conclusion of a great book, a new job, a move, a loss, even a haircut, can inspire change. But what is the difference between an opportunity for change and making that change a reality?

Research shows that change happens when the new becomes routine. Some studies suggest that depending upon the difficulty of the aspiration, it can take as few as 66 days — just 66 consecutive daily repetitions — to ingrain a new behavior. This seems eminently doable, yet most of us do not succeed in climbing even this minor grade. Why? I think an ancient reflection on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah provides a clear and compelling answer.

The holiday of Rosh Hashanah is mentioned twice, and only briefly, in the Torah. We first read a more detailed account in later scripture, the eighth chapter of the Book of Nehemiah. The prophet is describing the holiday and writes, “All the people came together as one … and Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly (kahal in Hebrew). …” According to this, a critical element of the celebration of the Jewish year is for us to be in community. The sacredness of the day does not come from the strength of our individual commitment or piety, but rather from our willingness to literally stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with all those who come seeking inspiration and insight. According to Nehemiah, on Rosh Hashanah we are not segregated by age or class, gender or tribe. Rather, the start of the year comes only when we congregate as one, joined together with shared hopes.

Because none of us stands alone, if we want a genuine and lasting reset, we must begin the process in the company of others. In sharing the quest to renew, reshape, restart, we gain strength and determination. We find support we likely never knew existed, motivation we never had, and courage we never understood we possessed. This Rosh Hashanah, may you find the company to begin again.

Deborah Joselow is the chief planning officer at UJA-Federation of New York. Previously, she served as UJA’s managing director of the Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal.

This essay is part UJA’s High Holiday publication Hitting Reset: A Fresh Start for 5778.