Rabbi Shimy was born and raised in a family of Chabad emissaries in the vibrant and friendly Jewish community in Australia. Growing up in the warm and giving environment of Chabad outreach profoundly affected his life goals and his vision for the future. He attended Yeshiva College (Melbourne) for his Elementary & High School education, and later continued his studies at the Educational Institute Oholei Torah in Brooklyn, NY. Upon completion of his studies in 2004, he received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Central Lubavitcher Yeshiva in New York.
Ever the trail-blazer, Rabbi Shimy, was instrumental in the founding and developing the highly acclaimed Chayolei youth club in Brooklyn. He has dedicated his time for over ten years in promoting Jewish awareness and identity both in the business field as well as being a chaplain both for the Australian Correctional facilities, as well as The National Boy Scouts of America Jamboree. In addition, he has visited many cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to provide educational events and holiday programs benefiting small outlying Jewish communities. After being Assistant Rabbi at Chabad of Westlake and teaching in Los Angeles, Rabbi Shimy is bringing his expertise to Moorpark, directing and establishing the growth of the Jewish community.
Devorah Leah was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA where she attended the Yeshiva for Jewish girls. Following High School she spent one year in Beth Chana seminary in Tzfat where she studied and received her diploma of Jewish studies.
For the next three years, Devorah worked in the Conejo Valley leading and organizing youth programs, Hebrew School, and Jewish awareness. She also instituted the “Friendship Circle”, a program for children with special needs and directed all its programs from 2003-2005.
Rabbi Shimy and Devorah got married in 2005 and moved to Moorpark in 2008 to establish the Chabad Jewish Center of Moorpark. Together they have created a flourishing Jewish community with much outreach, education, and social events available.