Shimi was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he played the part of Don Jose on the stage and in the film version of Carmen - a Rock Opera. He trained as a classical singer in the University of Tel Aviv and then moved to England to study at the Guildford School of Acting. During his studies he won the Musical Theatre Award 2001, was a prize winner at the Surrey Male Singer Competition and graduated with Distinction in 2002.

Shimi's West End debut was as Akaash in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Bombay Dreams (Apollo Victoria). He then moved on to play Mary Sunshine alongside Brooke Shields in Chicago (Adelphi) and was a featured singer in the record breaking hit West End show Dirty Dancing (Aldwich).

Most recently Shimi has created the lead part of Samuel in the world premiere of the new muscial Salt & Honey and shared the stage with Dudu Fisher and the world famous violinist Didier Lockwood. In America Shimi sang at Don't Tell Mama in New York and his performance was described by the press as "mesmerizing". Other parts played include the Emcee in Cabaret (Yvonne Arnaud), Man 1 in Songs for a New World (Bellairs Playhouse), Hector in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Yvonne Arnaud), Gob 2 in Sixteen Gobs (King’s Head, Islington), ensemble in Anyone Can Whistle (Bridewell Theatre), Dean Harrison in Summer Holiday (Pavilion, Worthing ) and Charlie in Over the Threshold and More (Canal Café Theatre). Original cast recordings include Over the Threshold and Dirty Dancing.