Foster kids get prepped for prom

BEAUTIFUL GIRLS- About 50 teens in foster care are all spruced up for prom night thanks to a mitzvah project at Congregation Or Ami that outfitted the girls for the big night. Mothers and their daughters from Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas took part in Prom Prep 101 last month, a mitzvah project designed to ensure that foster children are able to attend their high school proms.

Paired with one of 50 foster girls, ages 15 to 18, from Department of Children and Family Services homes, the teams helped the girls select a gown, shoes, handbags and jewelry. The girls were given hairstyles and manicures by professional stylists. Photos were taken, and the afternoon ended with a runway experience, a speaker and luncheon.

Congregation Or Ami is at 26115 Mureau Road, Ste. B, Calabasas. Rabbi Paul Kipnes may be reached by e-mail at rabbipaul@orami.org.

To learn more about the congregation's commitment to foster children, e-mail Or Ami incoming president Susan Gould at the4goulds@ roadrunner.com.