When did a menorah become a secular symbol? Well, I can sort of understand the thinking although I would think a Star of David would be a better symbol to use as representative of Judaism. A menorah is often associated specifically with Hanukkah... ergo, not as "secular."
But then there are associations that come to mind with any symbol over and above just that of naming a religion. The cross symbolizes Christianity, yet it is also associated specifically with Easter... ergo also not "secular."
Generally, I like the Star of David as representative of Judaism because it really isn't associated with any particular holiday etc. and it's sort of generally generic... ergo "secular."
Freeper Xenalyte made the comment on an earlier on post 17 of this thread (I was responding to him) where he was commenting on HOW ON EARTH COULD A DEMONCRAT school administrator say something so STUPID implying that a Jewish symbol,the menorah, has a secular dimension; that's a slap in the face to every Jew and to the Jewish faith.
Anyway, the topic of consternation is the Holiday where Chanukah falls into that category and where the Menorah would be an appropriate symbol for that Holiday rather than the star of David.
The star is a general symbol as is the cross for Christians where they are not symbols for any particular Holiday and should not be in a Chanukah/Christmas scene.
The Menorah and Nativity scene should both be there signifying the holiday.