On a quiet Tuesday morning in I.M. Wise Hall, the Tikkun Olam Committee paused for lunch. They had earned it. The dozen volunteers had spent the previous two hours transforming Wise Hall into a high end fashion boutique for Project Prom, Temple Emanu-El’s annual drive that helps high school seniors pick out their dream prom ensemble.
Over the next two days, 350 high school students from 22 New York City high schools and youth programs poured into Wise Hall. Tikkun Olam volunteers served as their personal shoppers, helping them navigate the rows of new dresses, shoes, handbags, makeup, and jewelry.
For the students, Project Prom is a reward for four years of hard work and dedication to their studies and community. Teachers, guidance counselors, social workers and parent coordinators selected the participants, who must meet certain GPA criteria in order to be eligible to be selected.
The two days of Project Prom shoppers is the culmination of nearly a year of hard work from the Tikkun Olam Committee. Committee members spend months connecting with brands and soliciting donations.
The Tikkun Olam Committee would like to thank the following companies for donating to Project Prom 2025:
Dresses
Adrianna Papell Group
Alex Evenings
Amsale
Bari Jay
Birdy Grey
DESSY GROUP
Dress The Population
Eloquii
G-III
Jovani Fashion
Steve Madden
Shoes
Birdy Grey
Caleres
Nina Shoes
Steve Madden
Jewelry
9design
Covet
Kendra Scott
The Jewelry Group
Makeup
e.l.f. Beauty
Essie Nail Polishes
L’Oreal
Sephora
Bags
EKR Designs LLC (Emm Kuo)
GIII
MICHAEL KORS
Nina Shoes
PerryWhite Design Studio
Steve Madden
ThredUp
