Sunday marks the 508th anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus . Charles Garcia : Columbus was a Jew , or a Jew who claimed to be a Christian . He says that during Columbus ' voyage , Jews were the target of religious persecution . Garcia : Columbus ' voyage was motivated by a desire to establish a safe haven for Jews .
Sunday marks the 508th anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus . Charles Garcia : Columbus was a Marrano , or a Jew who feigned to be a Catholic . 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 .