I think the “issue” I have with saying praying “to” a crucifix is that it helps to give life to the “Catholics worship graven images!” lie. Perhaps you might like to use the phrase praying “before” the Crucifix.
An image of Christ is what is sanctified by the works of Christ; the idea that a "graven image" should not be prayed to is a heretical concept of men not familiar with the Incarnation as precisely giving us an image to pray to. Not "pray before" but "pray to". Glory be to God Whose image is on the Crucifix, forever.
we all beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? (Galatians 3:1)
Don't let the sectants pervert the Word of God; rather, explain it to them for they do not know it. Explain it to the Jews that they don't know the Holy Scripture in full, and unless hey convert to Catholic Christianity they never will.