Jefferson Educational Society: A Beacon of Knowledge and Civic Engagement
The Jefferson Educational Society (JES) stands as a testament to the power of education and civic engagement in shaping a community's future. Established as a non-profit organization on September 29, 2008, with the Pennsylvania Department of State, the JES operates in a bi-partisan, non-denominational manner, free from political or philosophical bias. Through diverse programs, essays, and community conversations, the JES strives to educate and inspire residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
A Commitment to Justice, Education, and Democracy
The Rev. Charles Brock, one of the Jefferson Educational Society’s founders, left the JES, its supporters, and the Erie regional community with an inspirational thought when he died in November 2023: Work passionately for justice, education, and democracy. Rev. Brock carried these themes through his decades of work as a teacher, minister, lecturer, leader, and friend.
Exploring American Identity and History
The Jefferson Educational Society delves into the complexities of American identity and history through lectures and discussions. These explorations often involve analyzing pivotal moments and figures, such as Abraham Lincoln, and examining the evolution of American holidays and traditions.
Examining Presidential Leadership
Rev. Charles Brock focused on President Abraham Lincoln's ability to unify Americans in a time of crisis and turmoil. Brock argued that we need another Lincoln today - badly. We need to reconcile our acute political differences. Noting that churches often cooperate now compared to when they certainly didn't before 1900, he asks if America could do the same in politics?
Dr. Andrew Roth's American Holidays series explores the "common objects of our love" - those things St. Augustine said bind a people into a nation. These episodes delve into the origins and evolution of celebrations like Christmas, Fall Festivals (Halloween and Thanksgiving), and Sporting America, examining how these traditions have shaped American culture. In this episode, American Holidays explores the origins of how Americans celebrate Christmas by asking who were the four men who created the American Way of Christmas, who was "Sinter Klaas" and who gave Rudolph his Red Nose?
Read also: Thomas Jefferson on Education
Confronting Historical Divides
The JES doesn't shy away from confronting difficult chapters in American history. Discussions on the Civil War explore its romanticized portrayals in early film and theater, while also examining lesser-known events like the Weldon Railroad raid, highlighting the brutal realities faced by soldiers and civilians alike.
Historian George Deutsch explores this little-known action, often from the point of view of local Erie soldiers who participated in the raid. This talk examines the means and motives of the British invasion of the Chesapeake and explain why they burned the Capitol, White House, and other selected targets.
Understanding the American Story
The question of "What is the American story?" is a recurring theme at the JES. Discussions explore whether there is a single, unifying narrative or a multitude of perspectives that shape the nation's identity. The year 1968 is often cited as a pivotal moment when "The American Story" shattered, marking the beginning of the culture wars.
In a recently published essay for The Atlantic, “Is This the Worst Year in Modern American History? Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Dr.
Addressing Contemporary Issues
The Jefferson Educational Society serves as a platform for addressing pressing contemporary issues, ranging from national politics and foreign policy to local concerns and community development.
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National Politics and Democracy
The JES provides a forum for analyzing current political trends and challenges to American democracy. Discussions cover topics such as constitutional amendments, election results, and the role of political violence in society.
Deborah Gross, Esq. Pennsylvania’s Constitution is the oldest Constitution in the country. Changes to the constitution can occur through a Constitutional Convention or constitutional amendment. The last convention occurred in 1967, however, since then hundreds of constitutional amendments have been proposed by the General Assembly, some of which have been adopted by referendum and some of which have not made it to the referendum. This program will ask whether those amendments enhance or threaten our representative democracy. Deborah Gross, Esq.
Drs. Jeffrey Bloodworth and Stephen Tootle offer an analysis of election results as they stand, voter turnout, and the Electoral College count, as well as what the results mean for both the Democratic and Republican parties. Students also weighed in, offering their reactions to the 2020 election.
The JES also acknowledges the deep internal divisions and external challenges facing the Republican Party, particularly in light of recent election outcomes. Michael L. Coulter, Ph.D. In the aftermath of the 2016 election Republicans controlled more federal and state office than at any point since the 1920s. Four years later, Trump was the first President since Herbert Hoover to lose the White House, the Senate, and the House in just one term. The party turned winning into losing in record time. The aftermath has left the Republicans with deep internal divisions and, combined with the fact that the Republicans have only one the presidential popular vote once in the last 38 years, substantial external challenges. How can the Republican Party keep and grow its coalition to potentially win back the White House in 2024?
Foreign Policy and Global Affairs
The JES engages in discussions on international relations, including US-Russia relations, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Abraham Accords. These discussions aim to provide context and understanding of complex global events.
Read also: Exploring Jefferson Community and Technical College
As the Biden administration attempts to restore relationship with its European allies, Nord Stream 2 pipeline has become a point of stark division between the NATO allies. Is this a purely economic project, as Germany and Russia proclaim it to be? to make of this pipeline?
Prof. Lena Surzhko-Harned explains the mechanics of this conflict, and the challenges of managing the coronavirus crisis properly because of migration, difficult access to healthcare, and armed conflict. Dr. Surzhko-Harned is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science and a Faculty Affiliate of the Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend.
With much fanfare, the Trump administration hosted leaders from Israel, the UAE and Bahrain at the White House to sign this "historic" peace agreement, called the Abraham Accords. What is the significance of the agreement?
The US, having spent 20 years, over $1 trillion, and sacrificed thousands of American lives and thousands more injured, is leaving Afghanistan to an uncertain future. Will the current government in Afghanistan survive? Will the gains achieved in education, healthcare, women's rights, and democratization be preserved or will they vanish with the departing foreign troops? Can the Afghan national army prevent the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and IS from using the country as a base for operations again?
Community Development and Local Issues
The Jefferson Educational Society is deeply invested in the well-being of its local community. Discussions and essays address issues such as Erie's economic growth, public education, and water quality.
Thomas b. How many people, if they had the financial ability to do just about anything, would spend both their time and fortune restoring their hometown's historic buildings as an economic engine using the town's past to fuel its future? Tom Hagen is one, for which the people of Erie, Pennsylvania, are grateful.
"Erie’s public schools are in crisis. Inequitable funding by the Commonwealth and high rates of poverty and English language learners, as well as an abundance of students with learning disabilities, are just a few of the problems facing the district," writes Dr. R.
This latest essay, the Jefferson’s seventh, explores a critical issue facing the Erie region: How to properly define the threat posed by Harmful Algae Blooms and other threats to Lake Erie’s water quality.
Addressing Social Challenges
The JES tackles difficult social challenges, including racism, inequality, and drug abuse. These discussions aim to foster understanding and promote solutions to these complex problems.
This essay, written by Dr. Margaret Smith and Dr. Susan McDevitt of Edinboro University, provides some insight into several topics that examine the 24/7 Wall St. report that declared Erie to be “the worst city in American for African-Americans” in 2017. The essay examines the dynamics of institutional racism and its role in the plight of African-Americans. Topics discussed in the essay include the 24/7 Wall St. methods and factors included in the Worst Cities for Black Americans report on Erie. Likewise, an analysis of important factors by ZIP code is presented.
Overdose deaths and drug abuse are at all-time high. Drug wars are ravaging our communities: rural, suburban, and urban. Costs to healthcare, education, families, businesses, and taxpayers continue unabated. Narcoterrorism is destroying our neighboring countries. The economics support overseas enemies while corrupting people and institutions domestically. Dan Morhaim, M.D.
Promoting Civic Engagement and Leadership
The Jefferson Educational Society actively promotes civic engagement and leadership development through programs like the Jefferson Civic Leadership Academy (JCLA) and the Raimy Fellowship Program. These initiatives aim to cultivate informed and engaged citizens who are equipped to address the challenges facing their communities.
Responding to suggestions from alumni of the first several Jefferson Civic Leadership Academy (JCLA) cohorts, the Jefferson team created an advanced developmental experience in applied leadership theory. From an original group of 14, the five Raimy Fellows - April Soriano, Jim Wertz , Michael Outlaw, Seth Trott and YahMoorah Shakoor-Hooker - met the challenging program’s requirements.
Lessons from the Past
The Jefferson Educational Society emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to inform the present and shape the future. By examining historical events and crises, the JES seeks to provide valuable insights and guidance for navigating contemporary challenges.
What can Erie learn today, amidst the COVID-19 crisis, from studying the past, specifically the tuberculous crisis of the 19th century and the Great Depression of the 20th century? What lessons do Dr.
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