In Our Words: Josy's Early Life and Pre-College Education Josy spent her early years in Chicago, where she started school and enjoyed attending children’s musical concerts. In 1929 Jacques lost his job and was able to find work in Philadelphia, where Malvina’s brother, Ben, now lived. In 1930, Josy, Malvina, and Dina joined him in Philadelphia. The family spent summers in Wildwood at the Jersey shore. Josy also travelled to Mexico with Malvina to visit Stashek and his family. Josy maintained a lifelong friendship with Stashek’s son, Alejandro Margules. The family had a love for music, literature, and political discourse. Josy became an avid reader at a very early age. She started piano lessons at age 8. She developed into a talented pianist and writer, and became very proficient in both fields. Josy attended Cooke Junior High and distinguished herself with her writing. Her essays and poetry were published in school newspapers and literary anthologies, receiving several awards, including the honor of having them read at assemblies and graduations. These honors led to her admission to Simon Gratz High School, the honors academic high school in Philadelphia. Through her young adulthood, Josy studied with noted piano teacher Frank J. Potamkin. When Jacques lost his job in 1937, Mr. Potamkin agreed to continue to teach Josy piano at no charge on the condition that she perform at recitals of his students.