Image courtesy of Manchester Jewish Museum
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Through the voice of seventeen-year-old Freida Selman, we explore the experiences of Jewish refugees who sought safety in the United Kingdom and worked in domestic service. In Manchester, Frieda experiences the day-to-day challenges of wartime Britain, and forges new friendships over a shared love of music. Listen to find out more about what life was like for the teenage refugees who left their homes to work in new places, the memories they brought with them, and the new adventures they encountered.
This content was created during COVID-19
Scene 1
Frieda:
Seventeen-jahre-alt girl of good Jewish –Seven teen year old girl of good Jewish family seeks post as Haus – HoussseemaiD oder Cook...
My name is Frieda Selman, seven teen year old girl of good Jewish family seeking post as Housemaid or Cook -
Immigration:
You have a job lined up already, Miss? Domestic Visa?
Frieda:
I have Domestic Visa for Manchester, Sir
Immigration:
Is that with family? Aliens Order requires proof of job and income. They should have told you that in Germany.
Frieda:
No, I made advert for post as Housemaid or Cook in Manchester Guardian – I have visa for job from Lady in Manchester. Here…
My family are in Berlin. Papa is director of a Konservatorium - Conservatory…
At Christmas, we hear Halle Orchestra concert… under conductor Malcolm Sargent?
You hear this too? Handel’s Messiah? From Manchester, on the BBC - … George Frideric Handel, German composer. He comes – came in England. But he is born in town of Halle in Germany! He is very popular here, I think? For his music and hard work – so now I come here too…
I can roast meat, cook cakes. Music lessons for children. I practice making marmalade and tea.
Immigration:
You been practicing cleaning toilets, too? … That’s it, you’re done, move along.
Scene 2
Frieda:
Mein lieber Papa, die Dame sagt, ich muss mein Englisch verbessern - to improve my English, the Lady says I must speak and write only English. She checks my letters to you every week, before she will give me my postage stamp and my afternoon off.
… There is a piano im haus, but no music. I am not allowed to touch piano here. Except to clean it. Always cleaning and scrubbing. When I ask the Lady if she will pay me, she shouts she will sack me, and I’ll have to work in a factory.
Lily:
Wait up, Esther!
Esther:
Come on, Lily!
Frieda:
I see the girls at the factory and they’re laughing. The Lady knows my Visa does not permit me to work anywhere except for her.
Lily:
Race you to the bakery!
Esther:
Last one buys the barm cakes!
Frieda:
I have no time for Synagogue or concerts. No bus fare. It rains so much… And yet
... Apfelstrudel!
… Entschuldigen Sie mich. I enjoy a concert of the cakes!
Scene 3
Frieda:
Dear Papa, the BBC says we have a new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. The Lady says he will give the Germans hell. I want to shout; I am a German and I hate Hitler too!
… Your last letter arrived from the Red Cross with black lines all over. She says, “It’s not so good to be corresponding with Germany, Frieda. People will call you an Enemy Alien”.
… I must practice speaking to you in German so if you and Mama come - Wenn ihr kommt, können wir miteinander üben – and I will help you learn English…
Oh Papa…. I miss you all so much…. I am walking to Manchester Town Hall to try and hear the Halle practice…..
… There are women, in the street… a quartet of girls, playing Brahms! Opus 51!
… Excuse me. What is happening, please?
Lily (to Frieda):
Hamilton Hardy has laid off the few women players they had.
Frieda:
The Halle Orchestra employs women?!
Esther:
Not any more, but they’re protesting to change his mind.
Lily:
We’ve seen you in Cheetham Hill. Aren’t you one of those German girls sent over to work for families?
Frieda:
I came on my own. I’m not allowed to work in a factory… or an orchestra.
Esther:
You should call in our place anyroad, our boss Pearl is snowed under with sewing for the war effort, and her bark is worse than her bite -
Esther and Lily:
Down with Hardy! / Up the Women!
Frieda (joining in, with passion):
LET US PLAY! SAVE OUR MUSIC!
Scene 4
Esther:
Here she is, Lily!
Lily:
Come on in, Frieda!
Frieda:
Oh… that smell… Apfelstrudel!
Lily:
Mum’s making it special for our new lodger. Our home is yours now.
Frieda:
You have a piano?! … Can I - ?
Esther:
Why do you think we asked you to move in?
Frieda:
>
Oh, go on with you, you daft ‘apeth –
… I don’t know what to play. When I was little, I used to imagine I was Fanny Mendelsohn… and I’m a Wanderer, so…
Lily:
The Andrews Sisters!
Esther:
Bei Mir Bist Du Shein!
Frieda, Lily and Esther (sing enthusiastically):
Bei mir bist du shein / means you’re grand!
Frieda:
People say it rains all the time here, but it doesn’t, Papa
… We go to synagogue and we have a hiking club. We go walking to Buxton and Saddleworth. The heather is purple now, and the blackberries are ripening. We breathe fresh air and ride the buses – Leicester Road, Bury Old Road, Cheetham Hill – home.
