Carlebach is the Salo Wittmayer Baron Professor of Jewish history, culture and society at Columbia University. She was previously a Professor of Jewish History at Queens College and the Graduate Center, CUNY in New York City. Professor Carlebach obtained her PhD in Jewish History at Columbia University. Professor Carlebach is married to Rabbi Mordechai Jofen, the rosh yeshiva ("dean") of the Novardok yeshiva Beis Yosef in Brooklyn, New York City. She uses her maiden name professionally and her married name in her personal life.