Reply To: Changing Shuls — justification needed?

“If the Shul is closer, further, more talking, less talking”

That’s just it. If, to use your examples, the new Shul has less talking that’s an improvement in ruchniyos and could be a justifiable reason to change. Then it might be like changing shiurim and rebbis in yeshiva to a more suitable shiur that’ll help your spiritual growth.

If the new Shul has more talking and you’re changing because the old Shul became a crowd of older mispallelim who you have little in common to socialize with, so you want to go to Shul with a younger crowd you can shmooze with, that would seem to be unjustifiable.

Even if the change is neutral (same) ruchniyos-wise, I’m wondering if the old Shul and Rav did a lot for you over the years whether it is then right to leave them even if the new Shul is closer to your home.