A Q&A with Perri Kirshenblatt, Volunteer Fundraiser

Perri Kirshenblatt first became an active volunteer for UJA in 2018, serving as a Women’s Philanthropy Lion of Judah co-chair, and has held many meaningful volunteer roles at UJA over the past seven years. In addition to her involvement with UJA, Perri has sat on the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Board of Governors as a member of the governance and nominations committee since 2023. She is also a member of the advisory committee for the Halbert Centre for Canadian Studies at the Hebrew University. When she’s not donating her time to the causes she cares about, Perri enjoys spending time with her husband Elliot, her four children, and three grandchildren.

Recently, Perri connected with the Snapshot team to talk about volunteerism and what motivates her to help fundraise for the Jewish community.

How did you get involved with volunteering for the Jewish community? 

My family has always been philanthropic, so I learned at a young age the importance of giving back to the community—it’s part of my DNA. My parents, Ralph and Roz Halbert, were deeply involved and supported many charitable organizations, one of which was UJA. In fact, my dad was the chair of UJA in 1971, and I felt an immense sense of pride following in his footsteps. He passed away in 2018, the same year I began volunteering with UJA as a co-chair for Lion of Judah. It felt especially meaningful to carry forward his legacy of generosity and community leadership. Since then, I held the Women’s Philanthropy vice-chair position in 2020; the chair of Women’s Philanthropy in 2021; and in 2023 and 2024, I was a Major Gifts co-chair. This year, I’m excited to join the National Women’s Philanthropy Board and additionally serve as a Women’s Philanthropy prospecting co-chair.

You’ve certainly had a lot of roles at UJA! What motivates you as a volunteer fundraiser? And what is the most joyful part?

Every role has provided me with the opportunity to meet and learn from incredible people. Working alongside dedicated volunteers and passionate UJA staff is inspiring; everyone is extremely supportive, encouraging, and driven. Knowing I am helping to raise funds for community members in need motivates me. Also, I try to lead by example, and I hope my children and grandchildren will be inspired to continue this tradition of community involvement. As for what brings me joy, it’s very gratifying to build and strengthen relationships with donors simply by chatting about their interests and values. Through these conversations, I help donors understand how they can best support our community’s greatest needs. I enjoy developing those connections and encouraging people to give to causes that matter to them.

So, what’s the key to building relationships with donors? 

Every conversation with a donor is unique. I listen closely to what they say, take notes, and build upon each interaction to create a personal relationship. I try to establish a level of rapport and trust before making an ask. There are personal details that come up during these calls—birthdays, anniversaries, milestone moments—that I can weave into the conversation each year we chat.

Why should others get involved with UJA? 

UJA plays a vital role for those who need support. We’re fortunate to have an organization dedicated to helping so many people in Toronto, across Canada, in Israel, and around the world. I believe everyone should find ways to volunteer, be philanthropic, and discover how inspiring it is to support communities in need. UJA enables me to give back, and that’s what it’s all about: helping one another.

What advice do you have for new volunteers?

It's important to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself for a worthy cause. Everyone should try to find time to make a few calls. Those first calls can be intimidating, but it becomes easier the more you do it. There are amazing UJA professionals to help support you along the way. They are always available to answer your questions and help guide your conversations with donors.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Any parting words of wisdom? 

Volunteering is immensely gratifying. Doing something, whether it is big or small, is better than doing nothing. Sometimes all you need is one person to reach out and give an encouraging push to get you involved. It is an incredibly rewarding experience, and it helps you realize how fortunate you are to give back to your community and make a difference.