Sunday marks the 508th anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus . Charles Garcia : The New York Times He says that during Columbus ' lifetime , Jews became the target of religious persecution . He was originally going to sail on August 2 , 1492 , a day that happened to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av , marking the destruction of the First and Second Holy Temples of Jerusalem . Garcia : Columbus ' voyage was motivated by a desire to find a safe haven for Jews .
Sunday marks the 508th anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus . Charles Garcia : The New York Times He says that during Columbus ' lifetime , Jews became the target of religious persecution . Garcia : Columbus ' voyage was motivated by a desire to find a safe haven for Jews .