Ethan Ruben, a student who recently transferred to Lakewood Ranch High School from Cardinal Mooney, is leading a remarkable effort to fight antisemitism and ignorance through education. Along with his parents, Aaron and Leslie Ruben, and his brother, Tyler, Ethan has been instrumental in organizing Walk a Teacher to Poland, a fundraiser supporting Classrooms Without Borders’ “Open Minds and Open Hearts” program. This initiative sends middle and high school educators to Poland, where they explore the history of antisemitism, the Holocaust and Jewish life—including modern-day Israel. These life-changing experiences equip teachers to return home and teach their students how to recognize and actively combat hate.

Ethan’s contributions have been particularly impactful. Through a student-led walk-a-thon at Cardinal Mooney, he raised enough funds to send two of his school’s teachers, along with four other Sarasota educators and one student, to Poland. His leadership went beyond fundraising—he rallied support from across the community, sent personalized thank-you notes and kept donors engaged with regular updates.

While at Lakewood Ranch High where he is on track to graduate early, Ethan remains fully committed to the Walk a Teacher to Poland initiative and is still passionate about sending teachers from Mooney to learn about antisemitism. 

“As an educator of the Holocaust, it is my duty and responsibility to understand the magnitude of what happened and to be the voice for the victims who can no longer speak,” said Stefan Gates, a Cardinal Mooney teacher who joined this year’s trip.

The Ruben family has lived in Sarasota on and off since 2003. Ethan credits his deep-rooted commitment to service to his parents’ example. “It’s something I’ve always done—it’s just part of our family. I know I’ve been given a lot of opportunities,” he says.

Ethan’s father, Aaron, is a developer who works between Italy, Iowa and Sarasota. His mother, Leslie, spent 19 years as a teacher at Community Day School and now serves as Chapter Manager for YPO Sarasota Gold, a global network for CEOs. She also volunteers at Cardinal Mooney and serves on the board of Classrooms Without Borders. Leslie was part of the original group that launched the Walk a Teacher to Poland program in 2014. In 2022, Aaron traveled to Poland with his own father as part of the same seminar.

Ethan and his older brother, Tyler, both attended Cardinal Mooney, where they found a supportive environment, despite being part of the school’s small Jewish minority. However, they still encountered antisemitic jokes and ignorance—not from malice, but from a lack of understanding.

This lack of awareness became even more glaring after October 7, when Ethan and Tyler heard peers make statements like “Hitler wasn’t that bad.” The rise in Holocaust denial and misinformation among their generation fueled their resolve to educate and inspire change.

They had seen the transformative effect the Poland trip had on their parents—and on Clare McVey, a beloved Mooney teacher they still call “Auntie Clare.” Inspired by this, they launched Walk a Teacher to Poland to fund similar experiences for more educators. In the early stages, Ethan handled the technical side—building the website, designing flyers and managing donation platforms—while Tyler led writing and donor outreach. When Tyler left for Duke University, Ethan stepped up to run the full operation. Tyler remains an active advisor, managing social media and continuing to champion the cause.

Ethan excels both in and out of the classroom. Ranked among the top students
in his class, he’s a state-level weightlifter, team captain and active in student life. He serves as President of Miracle League (a baseball league for people with disABILITIES), Vice President of Special Olympics, a member of the Robotics Club, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. Outside of school, Ethan enjoys scuba diving, rock climbing, working out and cheering on the Buffalo Bills. One of his favorite quotes comes from quarterback Josh Allen: “Be good, do good, God bless.” This past summer, he traveled to Belize to help restore coral reefs, combining service with his passion for the environment.

His brother, Tyler, is now a sophomore at Duke University studying Political Science. He’s a member of Sigma Chi and volunteers with Blue Devil Buddies, a campus organization supporting students with disabilities. For young people looking to make a difference, Ethan offers this advice: Start small. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Choose something you truly care about. When you’re passionate about your cause, it’s easier to stay motivated and avoid burnout. Looking back on his journey, Ethan is both humbled and proud. “I never imagined that the small project I started two years ago would grow into something so much bigger. I just hope my story inspires others to step up and help their community.”  

Ethan Ruben was honored as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2024.