Several of the writers are published authors and they will discuss their recent works and will answer questions about the various aspects and challenges of becoming a published author.

A simple lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m. by reservation only for $10 per person. Call Barbara at 305-230-9185 before 2 p.m. on Feb. 3 to RSVP.

The presentation is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so come early.

Patriotic music

Homestead Community Concerts will present "An American Portrait: Songs From a Nation's Heart," at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the South Dade High School Auditorium, 28401 SW 167th Ave.

According to a press release, "American Portrait" is a stirring, evocative homage to America that comes alive with legendary pianist Mac Frampton and the voices of Sam Hagan and Dawn Marie.

Tickets are $25 at the door for those who do not have season tickets.

The auditorium is handicapped-accessible and parking is free.

For more information go to www.homesteadconcets.com or call 305-235-8818 or 305-235-6620.

Holocaust education

The 10th Annual Holocaust Education Week will be Feb. 6-9, and will feature programs throughout Miami-Dade County that will delve into the immense impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish people and modern society.

The six-part series presented by the Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation will feature perspectives on the Holocaust, based on eyewitness accounts, scholarly research and cultural presentations. The series is sponsored by Naomi Wilzig in memory of Siggi B. Wilzig.

The series will begin with "The Power of Film on Holocaust Reflections," to take place at 1 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Holocaust Memorial, 1933-45 Meridian Ave. in Miami Beach.

A panel discussion entitled, "Family Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust," will be at noon on Feb. 7 at Miami-Dade college Medical Campus Auditorium, 950 NW 20th St.

A lecture entitled "Are We Seeing Nazi Propaganda Rising in the Middle East?" will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, 20400 NE 30th Ave..

During a program at 10a.m. on Feb. 8 at Miami Beach Senior High School, ninth and 10th grade students will have the opportunity to speak with survivors during the program entitled, "First Person: Conversations with Holocaust Survivors." At 4 p.m., the educator workshop, "Teaching Sacred History: Our Students and the Shoah," will be at the Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day Schools' Ben Lipson Community High School, 19000 NE 25th Ave. in North Miami.

The presentation, "With Courage Shall We Fight," which is about escape from Nazi captivity and resistance will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Chase Ave. in Miami Beach, and at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9, at Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus, 11011 SW 104th St.

For more information about these programs go to www.JewishMiami.org.

Tomake reservations, contact the Holocaust Memorial at info@holocaustmmb.org, or call 305-538-1663.

Lost synagogues

The Jewish Museum of Florida will have a special presentation of the film "The Lost Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe," at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5. The film is in conjunction with the museum's current exhibit, "Wooden Synagogues of Poland and the Florida Connection" and is narrated by Theodore Bikel.

The award-winning documentary tells the story of the few remaining wooden synagogues found in Poland and Latvia, and represents the thousands that had dotted the shtetls of Eastern Europe before World War II.