Manfred was determined to emigrate to Argentina. In March 1938, he began training with his friend Martin Eppstein at the agricultural training estate in Sennfeld (Baden). The estate was run by the Jewish group "Werkleute" [People of Labor] in the spirit of Martin Buber. Young people were prepared for emigration to the British Mandate territory of Palestine.

"I had no knowledge about Zionism and Palestine. Meeting this movement was a revelation and overwhelming. In a short time, we joined the group and became convinced Zionists. ... It was a revolution, a kind of rebirth. I learned to appreciate agriculture and worked hard to acquire the skills I needed."