The theory that Christopher Columbus was secretly Jewish emerged in the late 19th century, appealing to Jewish immigrants linking their heritage to American freedom. However, this notion lacks solid evidence and obscures the authentic stories of Jewish communities, particularly the conversos, who played a role in early exploration and settlement in the Americas. Scholars have begun translating significant 16th-century Jewish texts about the Americas, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Jewish voices in the broader narrative of the New World and the complexities of identity and belonging amidst persecution.
The widespread tale of Columbus being Jewish distracts from the complex, true story of Spanish Jews who engaged with the New World from the very beginning.
The history of the Americas involves not just explorers like Columbus but also the Jewish communities that faced persecution and sought belonging.
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