nissim died in 2000. his sons found from his diaries that bartali had used his fame to help. nissim and the oblati friars of lucca forged documents and needed photographs of those they were helping. bartali used to leave florence in the morning, pretending to train, ride to assisi where many jews were hiding in the franciscan convents, collect their photographs and ride back to nissim. at assisi bartali was in direct contact with rufino niccacci. bartali also used his position to learn about raids on safehouses.