In 1938, Martin decided to train with his friend Manfred Bernheim at an agricultural Jewish teaching farm in Sennfeld, Baden. There they met a youth group of the Zionist "Werkleute" [“People of Labor”], who were guided by Martin Buber's philosophy. At first, the two were critical of their ideas, but the daily discussions and the optimistic attitude of the Zionist youth led them to join the group and become convinced Zionists themselves.