Preparation for Project Prom took months. It included phone calls, emails, and ongoing conversations with Temple Emanu-El staff and representatives from some of the world’s leading fashion brands. It also required physical labor, as Tikkun Olam volunteers spent a long day organizing dozens of boxes of dresses, shoes, handbags, and cosmetics in I.M. Wise Hall.
Last week, on a warm spring morning, the most exciting phase of Temple Emanu-El’s Project Prom began after a long winter of work. Over the course of two days, Temple Emanu-El welcomed over 360 New York City high school students from schools in low-income neighborhoods to select their free prom ensembles. With the help of Tikkun Olam volunteers, students from institutions including Gregorio Luperon High School for Science and Mathematics, Richard Green Teaching High School, and Fashion Industries High School made their way through rows of dresses, tables of handbags and jewelry, and racks of shoes.
“It is so important to Temple Emanu-El’s Tikkun Olam Committee that all the girls we serve will have a beautiful prom ensemble to wear at their school proms. Most of our shoppers would not be able to acquire these items on their own. All we hope to see are smiling faces and joy in knowing how beautiful these young girls will be at their senior proms,” said Susan Kaufman, chair of Temple Emanu-El’s Tikkun Olam Committee. “I also want to thank our amazing volunteers from the temple. They did an incredible job and make this experience so special for the students.”
“As a congregation, it is an honor to be able to facilitate this special event! Project Prom is the most joyous event that Tikkun Olam hosts all year, when volunteers derive pleasure from outfitting the seniors and the recipients leave with a deep sense of appreciation,” said Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich. “There is wonderful energy that persists well beyond the shopping experience. We owe so much to our volunteers for setting the tone.”
For students and educators, Project Prom is a defining moment of high school.
“I was able to find a beautiful dress and got all the complimentary parts to the outfit, shoes, handbag, everything. Thank you once again for this opportunity, I really, really appreciate it!” said Venus, a student and Project Prom participant.
“Our girls walked away absolutely thrilled, smiling, energized, and even more excited to finish out their senior year on such a high note. It meant a lot to them!” shared Nancy, a teacher at DREAM Charter Schools.
As the final shopping shift of Project Prom ended, students headed to checkout with their outfits. They carried new dresses, fresh shoes, and sparkling jewelry. Tikkun Olam volunteers carefully packed up their items and placed them into shopping bags labeled “Project Prom.” Then, bags in hand, they headed out of Wise Hall toward their proms and post-high school futures.
Temple Emanu-El and the Tikkun Olam Committee would like to thank the following brands for their generous donations to Project Prom 2026:
Adrianna Papell Group
Alex Evenings
ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
Amsale
Calares
CamiNYC
CJS Sales
DESSY GROUP
Dress the Population
e.l.f. Beauty
Eloquii
Faviana
GIII
Jovani
Kendra Scott
MICHAEL KORS
Nina Shoes
Nox Annabel
OLIVE & PIPER
Parlux
Perry White Designs
Ramy Brook
Revelry
Steve Madden Ltd.
Sydney’s Closet
The Jewelry Group
