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Existentialism is, very briefly, the doctrine that existence preceeds essence. In point of fact, there's only one philosopher, to the best of my knowledge, that described themselves as an existentialist -- J.P. Sartre. He was heavily influenced by Heidegger and Hegel and believed, in a nutshell, that we are what our choices make us. Usually Jaspers and Camus are also described as existentialists, and Derrida certainly has many of the same influences. Kierkegaard is often described as the 'godfather' of existentialism, because of his heavy emphasis on human choice and his analyses of despair and anxiety.
Personally, I find myself in agreement with quite a few of the existentialists' points; this, however, is probably due more to the fact that the people I agree with the most -- Heidegger, Nietzsche, and Kierkegaard -- were all important influences on the movement. As far as N's questions go, you're going to have to be a bit more specific. Maybe you could start by answer the question "Why do you think it's difficult for an existentialist to have ethics/ideals?"
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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